University of Richmond begins 2009-10 academic year with four construction projects underway and strong first-year class
August 19, 2009
Working their way around four major construction projects, 924 highly qualified first-year students moved into the University of Richmond campus Aug. 19 and began their college careers.
The university received 7,880 applications for the Class of 2013 – the second largest applicant pool in Richmond’s history – and admitted 3,094 students. Of those, 924 enrolled (30 percent), representing 40 states and 27 countries. With 15 students, China has the largest delegation of international first-year students. The largest group of domestic students hails from Virginia (21 percent), followed by New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Massachusetts.
The first-year class includes 21 percent who are first-generation college students and 23 percent who are American students of color – the university’s most diverse incoming class. Six percent comes from outside the United States
New students bring with them a variety of interests and experiences. There are children’s book authors, Science Olympiad and Knowledge Bowl champions, presidential and gubernatorial campaign interns, founders of nonprofit organizations, nationally ranked dancers, and many students committed to community service, the arts and diversity.
The university also welcomed 54 transfer students, 44 new M.B.A. students, 11 new master’s of accountancy students and 150 new law students.
All will notice ongoing construction projects on campus. A 37,000 square-foot addition to the Robins School of Business, Queally Hall, began in June, and three projects continue following their spring semester starts: the Westhampton Center, an addition to the Westhampton College Deanery for women’s programs; the Carole Weinstein International Center, to house the Office of International Education and programs focusing on global issues; and First Market Stadium, the new home of UR Spider football, which will open for the fall 2010 season.