18 August 2022 HWS Welcomes the Classes of 2026

On Thursday morning, the Classes of 2026 officially arrived on campus.

Orientation 2022 began on Thursday, as the Classes of 2026 kicked off their college experience on the Quad, meeting President Mark D. Gearan L.H.D.’17, P’21 and Mary Herlihy Gearan L.H.D.’17, P’21, fellow classmates, deans, faculty and staff.

To get a glimpse of the Orientation coverage, visit the Colleges’ social media on
Instagram Icon Facebook icon TikTok Icon

The Classes of 2026 are composed of a diversified pool. Nearly 27% of incoming students identify themselves as diverse with students hailing from 32 states and 21 countries other than the U.S. including Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Ukraine and Vietnam. In total, HWS will welcome 446 first-year students and 25 transfer students with an average GPA of 3.61. Nearly 40% have been awarded merit scholarships.

Committed in their decision to attend HWS, 65% of incoming students enrolled Early Decision or Early Action, making HWS a top choice. Nearly half the new students are athletes, joining the campus’ 29 teams including its newest: William Smith volleyball, Hobart swimming and diving, Hobart baseball, HWS Alpine Skiing and William Smith bowling.

Orientation Coordinators Ethan Lewis ’23 and Ainsley Woods ’24 have been on campus this summer planning a memorable weekend for the Classes of 2026. The weekend will include students meeting their First Year Seminar professors, learning more about Geneva and getting an idea of what to expect over the next four years.

“I hope, first and foremost, that this weekend will provide the incoming classes with a smooth and comfortable transition into college life and that everyone has fun,” says Woods. “I’m most looking forward to the LOVE Geneva Tour that we’ll be hosting on Sunday. I love spending time downtown, and I can’t wait for the incoming classes to meet and interact with local business owners and grow to love the Geneva community as well.”

Lewis says he looks forward to showing the new students what HWS has to offer. “My hope for the weekend is students begin to envision what their next four years here will look like and get excited but also stay open to the possibilities,” he says.

This cohort also includes 55 first-year students who arrived on campus earlier to participate in the Pre-Orientation Adventure Program. The optional five-day outdoor experience provides new students the chance to experience hiking, kayaking or participating in a community service program while getting to know their classmates.

During Orientation, students will attend their first class, their First Year Seminar. A cornerstone of the Colleges’ curriculum, FSEMs help students develop critical thinking and communication skills and practices. FSEM faculty become first-year students’ academic advisers until students declare a major. This relationship gives students access to an adviser on their first day at HWS, someone who gets to know them in and out of the classroom. Some of this year’s course offerings include: “Britpop: From the Beatles to Brexit,” “Podcasting America: Storytelling and Social Change,” “Why Are Some Countries Rich?” and “Sustainable Living & Learning.”

To get a glimpse of the Orientation coverage, visit the Colleges’ social media on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.