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Ira Andrews III '59 welcomes new students to
Andrews Hall. Click on freshmen to view a photo
gallery of move-in day 2011.
Click on legacy to view a photo gallery of
the first legacy luncheon. |
On Wednesday, August 31, 2011, Randolph-Macon College welcomed 411 freshmen and 29 transfer students to campus. As in years past, nearly 120 Macon Movers, comprised of students, faculty and staff, were on hand to give them and their families a warm welcome by helping to them unpack their cars, provide information and move into their dorm rooms.
The Class of 2015 is the largest freshmen class in Randolph-Macon’s history. The 411 freshmen represent 21 states plus the District of Columbia and six foreign countries (China, Costa Rica, Myanmar, Nepal, Rwanda, and Vietnam). This class is also the most diverse with 54 percent female, 46 percent male and 29 percent representing an ethnic minority group.
“Welcoming these students and their families into the Randolph-Macon family is one of the most rewarding aspects of my job,” said R-MC president Robert R. Lindgren. “I’ve had the pleasure of working with these dynamic students throughout the admissions process and am very impressed with their past accomplishments. We expect great things from them here during the next four years.”
This year’s freshmen class is the first to sign a new
Four-Year Degree Guarantee partnership agreement, which pledges in writing that freshmen entering in fall 2011 who meet all necessary requirements will graduate within four calendar years. If not, Randolph-Macon will waive tuition costs for R-MC courses needed to complete their degree. Lindgren and Provost William Franz met with individual families in June and July, during new student orientation, to discuss and jointly sign the Four-Year Guarantee partnership agreement.
“This is the most academically talented class in recent history,” says Anthony Ambrogi, director of admissions and enrollment research. One-hundred-fifty freshmen have been awarded
Presidential Scholarships, which recognize students who have demonstrated the highest levels of academic achievement and leadership.
R-MC is also expecting a historic total enrollment of 1259 students. Upperclassmen will return to campus on Saturday, September 3, 2011. The first day of classes will begin on Monday, September 5.
Social Media has played a major role in engaging students before they officially arrived on campus. These new Yellow Jackets have been actively engaged with each other this past year through the college’s Facebook account for the class of 2015.
Andrews Hall
R-MC also opened the new Andrews Hall. This 108-bed, suite-style residence facility for freshmen includes a 1,500-square-foot common room for academic and student organization use; study areas; social areas; a gaming/TV room; a laundry facility; a staff apartment; and a community porch. This is the first newly constructed building on campus since 1997 and the first significant student-housing facility constructed since 1972.
Andrews Hall named in honor of Ira Andrews III ’59, R-MC professor emeritus of religious studies and retired dean of students, is well on track for LEED Silver certification with the potential of receiving Gold certification. LEED, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is an internationally-recognized “green building” certification system that promotes sustainable building and development practices. The Hall also includes other environmental features such as geo-thermal wells to collect and temper ground water for the heating and ventilating system, and a system to collect and recycle rain water for toilets and irrigation. In addition, solar panels are installed on the eastern side of the roof to help with electricity costs. Construction of the Hall was made possible by a lead gift from Andrews’ friend and classmate Frank E. “Pepper” Laughon Jr. ’59 and his wife Stuart.
“Interest in Randolph-Macon College is at an all time high,” said Lindgren, “which I believe can be directly attributed to the national reputation of our dedicated and talented faculty and the benefits and value of the liberal arts education we provide.”
Legacy Luncheon
For the first time, Randolph-Macon hosted a legacy luncheon on August 31, 2011 during move-in day. 42 new students and their families gathered for lunch after checking into their new residence halls. A legacy family is defined as families with generational connections to R-MC.
President Lindgren told those in attendance, “We take great pride in welcoming new students who perpetuate the family tradition of attending Randolph-Macon. It speaks volumes about your loyalty and satisfaction of your family, and about our continuing success in maintaining a welcoming, community environment. “
To view photos from the luncheon, click on legacy. Randolph-Macon CollegeRandolph-Macon, the oldest United Methodist Church-affiliated college in the nation, received recognition from the Phi Beta Kappa Society for having the most outstanding chapter at a liberal arts college in the United States. The college offers exceptional First-Year Experience program, 19 study/travel courses in January Term 2011, national and international internships and a wide range of research opportunities through its Schapiro Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program.
Read more about R-MC’s First-Year Experience program at
FYE.
Read more about R-MC’s international study/travel courses at
J-Term 2012.
Read more about R-MC’s undergraduate research program at
SURF.