The Denison Class of 2030, almost 700 members strong, arrived ready to write their stories on The Hill, this week.
In a week of unpacking, sweet goodbyes, late-night Sizzles, and adventures on and off campus, Denison’s newest class began building friendships that will define their college experience and shape the rest of their lives.
The Class of 2030, with an admittance rate of 22% from 12,543 applications, steps onto campus as Denison continues to ride an upward wave of momentum.
The Princeton Review ranked Denison #3 for happiest students, and #9 for students who love their colleges. They’ll be part of a winning tradition: Denison athletes made NCAA history this spring with three Division III NCAA championships in three different sports in the same year.
As they prepare to graduate, they will enjoy stellar career launch support: The Princeton Review recognizes Denison as #3 for best career services and #6 for best private schools for internships.
As the newest class began their four years on The Hill, President Adam Weinberg offered advice as they were inducted into the Denison family.
“Show up eager to dive into your classes, be deeply engaged across campus, and develop relationships with faculty, staff, and a wide circle of your peers,” he said. “We will challenge you because we believe in you and want the best for you. Create your own Denison experience in ways that prepare you for the life you want to live. You made an excellent choice for college, and we are excited to welcome you into our community.”
Take a look back at a few special moments of the Class of 2030’s first week on The Hill:
Friday, Aug. 21: Move-in Day
- Bright blue skies, pompom-waving students, and scores of helpers welcome the Denison Class of 2030 to The Hill with Big Red flair.
- Swarms of student-athletes and staff help unload belongings in new digs.
- Students and families set up stylin’ living spaces, hit the bookstore for merch (Best-selling items: Denison Hoodies and Mom and Dad T’s)
- Later that night, everyone plays games, toss glow sticks, and dance the night away at their first Denison party: the Sizzle.
Saturday, Aug. 22: Campus orientations
- First friendships form while learning about life on The Hill campus in small orientation groups.
- Share sweet goodbyes and final hugs with families — big enough to last at least until Family Weekend on Sept. 25.
- Enjoy dinner and a night of casino games.
Sunday, Aug. 23: Class photo, and battle of the res halls
- Play trivia and games at Hoaglin Wellness Center.
- Assemble on Reese~Shackelford Common for the iconic class photo.
- Get into some serious competition — and laughs — in the Battle of the Residence Halls.
- Play basketball, volleyball, dodgeball, and get a look at all the cool options at Mitchell Center, ranked #4 best athletic facility in the country.
Monday, Aug. 24: Connect to Columbus
- Boarding buses and fanning out across Columbus, our big city next-door neighbor just 30 minutes from campus, then…
- Hiking at Scioto Audubon, petting giraffes at the Columbus Zoo, exploring German Village and the Book Loft, slurping up Jeni’s Ice Cream, walking a canopy, paddling down the Scioto River, dancing the salsa, singing with a musical theatre group at CAPA, surveying career-ready skill programs at Denison Edge, competing at pickleball, touring the stadium of Major League Soccer’s Columbus Crew, visiting the Billy Ireland Cartoon Museum, playing with light at Gamegrounds, viewing art at the Columbus Metropolitan Art Museum, feasting at a North Market scavenger hunt, and more.
- Coming back to campus and hanging out at the firepits.
Tuesday, Aug. 25, and Wednesday, Aug. 24: Campus orientations, Induction Ceremony, a special gift from President Weinberg
- Visiting academic departments, meeting faculty and staff, learning more about majors, mapping the path to classrooms.
- Noshing on late-night breakfast at Huffman Dining Hall.
- Walking to Swasey Chapel through a line of faculty in full regalia.
- Hearing “Give yourself the chance to become more of who you already are,” from Emmanuel Rodriguez ’27, president of the Denison Campus Governance Association (DCGA).
- Debuting Fanfare for the Class of 2030, composed by Professor Ching-chu Hu in the Class of 2030’s honor.
- A roadmap for the next four years from President Adam Weinberg.
- Pulling on a new Denison sweatshirt, a gift from President Weinberg.
Thursday, Aug 27: First day of classes, opening day of Knobel Hall and King Center for Data & Innovation
- Finding their first classrooms without a hitch, thanks to practicing on Tuesday.
- Meeting professors for the first time and realizing they will do everything they can to help students succeed.
- Touring the brand new King Center for Data & Innovation and earmarking what just might be the perfect study spot.
- Heading back to their rooms after a week crammed full of new friends and ”firsts” to catch a few Z’s before starting all over again tomorrow.
