The 438 women of Saint Mary's Class of 2013 represent the most diverse class in the school's 155-year history , helping fulfill President Carol Ann Mooney's goal of enhancing campus diversity.
Approximately 15 percent of the incoming freshmen come from historically underrepresented groups.
"The need to diversify arises from the role that diversification can play in making Saint Mary's a more vibrant learning community and preparing all of its students for life and work in a diverse and global world," Mooney said in her Strategic Vision for the College, a document detailing the College's new diversity goals.
Students come from 37 different states, and four students from China, Korea, Panama and Poland will also be arriving on campus.
The Class of 2013 also boasts 16 valedictorians, and one third of the incoming class graduated with a GPA of 3.91 or above.
"The Class of 2013 possesses exceptional academic credentials by every indicator - especially noteworthy is the fact that nearly 10 percent ranked in the top 10 percent of their high school class and about 60 percent in the top 20 percent," Vice President for Enrollment Management Daniel Meyer said in a press release. "The entire Saint Mary's community looks forward to the positive contributions this class will have on the College for the next four years."
Sports team captains, student body presidents and Girl Scout Gold Award winners also compose a portion of the incoming class.
"We know that these talented young women will find both the academic rigor they seek and countless opportunities to serve during their four years here," President Mooney said. "The opportunities for personal growth are endless and I look forward to the many wonderful things they will accomplish at Saint Mary's and in their lives as alumnae."
The Class of 2013's size of 438 reflects an attempt by the college to increase the student body to between 1,600 and 1,700 women. The 2009-2010 school year is the second year of a five-year program designed to enlarge the student body, which included hiring of new hall staff and the re-opening of previously closed living spaces last year.
The increase in enrollment is expected to help close Saint Mary's $1.5 million budget deficient from 2005.
