Classes of 2020 in the Spotlight
24 August 2016 Classes of 2020 in the Spotlight
Today, the Hobart and William Smith community will officially welcome the Classes of 2020, one of the most impressive groups of first-year students in the history of the Colleges.
They represent class presidents and honor society inductees, team captains and exchange program participants, champions of social justice and dedicated volunteers. About a third of these 600 high-achieving and talented students are receiving merit scholarships, and overall they have an average GPA of 3.47, an increase from last year.
A culturally and geographically diverse group representing 16 countries and 28 states, nearly 20 percent of the Classes of 2020 are multicultural and about 6 percent are international students representing nations across the globe: from China, India and Afghanistan to Ecuador, United Kingdom and South Africa.
About 20 percent of the group are legacies, who have a parent, sibling, aunt or uncle who is an alum or current student. Of the Classes of 2020, 57 percent and 43 percent are from public and private high schools, respectively. There are also 32 transfer students, up from last year.
Heres a snapshot of a few members of the Classes of 2020:
Sam Allen 20, of Lewisburg, Pa., will arrive at the Colleges as a Trustee Scholar and a member of the Hobart basketball team. He says hes looking forward to collaborating with bright and driven people and exploring the range of opportunities at HWS, particularly through his Sustainable Living and Learning First-Year Seminar.
I really like the opportunity to have a multidimensional education, Allen says. Its great that Hobart and William Smith accepts and embraces a diversified class schedule and encourages students to have a well-rounded view of the world.
At Lewisburg High School, Allen was captain of his basketball team, a National Honor Society member and took part in both Spanish and physics clubs.
Maya Weber 20, of Buffalo, N.Y., is kicking off her HWS experience this semester with the Pre-Orientation Adventure Program, a five-day outdoor adventure program that provides a chance to experience hiking, kayaking, or participating in a community service program.
Im looking forward to meeting new people and making friends, Weber says. It was really the size and the sense of community at HWS that drew me, and I fell in love with campus when I visited.
A Trustee Scholar, Weber served as class president of Amherst Central High School for all four years. She played soccer and lacrosse, participated in an exchange program to Italy, and was president of a business club. At HWS, she says shes interested in exploring economics during her first semester.
Chris Caulder 20, of North Woodstock, N.H., says hes excited about all the curricular and extracurricular options the Colleges have to offer. Caulder applied Early Decision and is a Presidential Scholar.
I loved the sense of community at HWS theres the feel of a small school, but its big enough where I will also be able to do my own thing, Caulder says. Im especially interested in the Pathways Program. The focus on career preparation plays a bigger part than what I saw at other schools.
Caulder, who attended Holderness School, was on the state championship-winning soccer team, a member of his schools economics club, and also took workshops on social issues. At HWS, he intends to play club soccer.
Katherine Consoli 20, of Allentown, N.J., will be arriving on campus as a member of Herons lacrosse along with her twin sister, Emma Consoli 20, who is also on the team. Graduates of The Hun School of Princeton, both applied Early Decision. A Faculty Scholar, Katherine says shes looking forward to meeting new people and becoming a member of such a great community, through which she hopes to learn, engage and make her own impact.
As soon as I stepped on campus I could feel how welcoming the HWS community is, Katherine recalls. After meeting with Head Coach Anne Phillips and the William Smith lacrosse team, I knew this was the place that I needed to be. From my classroom visits I saw that professors really care about students. Im also looking forward to opportunities in career services and study abroad.
During high school, Katherine was an AP honors student and a three-sport athlete, playing lacrosse, soccer and field hockey. She was a member of her student government, womens rights club, community service club and a support the troops club.