Augustana College welcomes largest, diverse class in 163-year history

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. (KWQC) - Move-in day at Augustana College Friday was unlike anything the college has ever seen before in its 163-year history.

The college welcomed new students to campus as the Class of 2027 with a record-breaking accomplishment: this group of students is among the largest and most diverse the institution has seen, with 800 first-year, transfer and exchange students from 30 states and 35 countries, according to a spokesperson from Augustana.

Immediately after move-in, first-year and transfer students will start “Welcome Week,” where they get to know each other and the campus.

“We have a lot to unpack and a lot to put together, but it should be a fun experience,” First-year student Meg Westland said. “I’m excited for Welcome Week.”

The college received an unprecedented 8,200 applications from first-year and transfer students across the globe for the 2023-2024 school year, officials stated. The enrolled first-year class includes 584 U.S. students and 192 international students.

The first day of classes for the Augie students is Tuesday.

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