Posted on Friday, September 02, 2022
The college welcomed its largest freshman class since 2019, administrators announced this week.
Final numbers show 226 new first-year students enrolled on campus, an increase of 94 from last year’s freshman class and 48 from the 2020 cohort.
“This influx of new students is a promising sign that we are beginning to return to pre-pandemic numbers after two COVID-19 influenced years,” said President Susanna Baxter. “Our Admissions team and coaches have worked tirelessly to help more students hear about the opportunities available on the Hill.”
She said she has enjoyed getting to know the new class during their summer orientations, and that they are excited to be on campus and in LaGrange.
“The Class of 2026 is a highly qualified and engaged group of students ready to forge their own path at LaGrange College. We look forward to seeing what they will accomplish during their time with us.”
Fall semester classes began on Aug. 22, and enrollment numbers weren’t official until after class rosters were finalized this week.
The college’s highest freshman mark was set in 2017 with 275 new students.
“This year’s class represents a diverse and academically accomplished group,” said Dr. John Head, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Experience.
“Overall, they carry a 3.33 average GPA, and they come to campus from around the country—and world.”
While nearly 80 percent are Georgia residents, the remainder arrived from states as far away as Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, and countries including Argentina, Canada, Germany and South Africa.
“These students are eager to get involved in their new community,” he said. “Please welcome them as you encounter them off campus.”
The large freshman class was accompanied by a substantial group of 53 new transfer students.
The Panthers will play the 2022-23 athletic season in the Collegiate Conference of the South, a new conference formed after LC and eight other institutions separated from the USA South Athletic Conference. The move brings LC together with Agnes Scott College, Belhaven University, Berea College, Covenant College, Huntingdon College, Maryville College, Piedmont University and Wesleyan College.
The Panthers first game in the new conference will be a volleyball match against Huntingdon on Friday, Sept. 2, at 1 p.m., in Richter Gymnasium.
“I am excited to be a part of the newly formed Collegiate Conference of the South,” said Athletic Director Terlynn Olds. “The conference alignment is more in line with the DIII model of student, then athlete.”
President Susanna Baxter, vice-chair of the CCS President’s Council and Executive Committee, said the conference is a good fit for the college and its student-athletes.
“The new conference is geographically smaller which means less time traveling to competitions and fewer missed classes,” she said. “Additionally, more of our teams will have an opportunity to play in national tournaments since there are fewer colleges vying for the automatic qualifier.”
CCS members will contend in 14 championship sports: baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, tennis and track and field for men; and basketball, cross country, soccer, softball, tennis, track and field and volleyball for women. The sports of football and lacrosse will remain in the USA South Athletic Conference for the time being.
The two-conference separation strategy was endorsed by the USA South Presidents Council last year. The CCS was officially incorporated in the State of Georgia on Jan. 12, 2022, and application materials for conference membership were officially approved by the NCAA Division III Membership Committee on Feb. 17.
As with all new conferences, the CCS is placed on a two-year waiting period before conference champions are eligible to earn automatic bids for NCAA championships.
Dr. John Tures, Professor of Political Science, had his article “The USA Isn’t A ‘Banana Republic’ for Investigating Trump–Just Look At The Data” published last week in Politico Magazine. LC Political Science Majors and Minors Karson Troth ’23, Cooper Dolhancyk ’24, Nicole Morales ’23, Tamino Schoeffer ’24, Emaleigh Turner ’25 and Katie Gonzalez ’26 were co-publishers of the piece and contributed to the research of the article before classes started on Aug. 22.
The college’s Zeta Pi Chapter of the international business honor society Delta Mu Delta earned the Star Chapter Award for the 15th year. This award is given to chapters that meet or exceed the society’s standards for chapter operation and administration. It is the only chapter in Georgia to receive the honor.
This fall’s Leadership Academy for student officers representing campus groups from Greek organizations to special-interest clubs will be held Friday, Sept. 23 and Sunday, Sept. 25. Students can RSVP to the event online.
The college will be closed on Monday, Sept. 5, in observance of Labor Day. Normal operations will resume on Tuesday, Sept. 6.
Check LC Connect for Virtual CE events and instructions.
Tuesday, Sept. 6
9/11 Lecture
11:15 a.m., Corn Auditorium, Lewis Library
Wednesday, Sept. 7
Power Nap
12 p.m., SPEED Center, Callaway Education Building
Wednesday, Sept. 7
Student Organization Registration
11:30 a.m., Bailey Room, Smith Hall
Aria Foster ’24 realized a longtime dream as she traveled 26 hours to Chiang Mai, Thailand to work with veterinarians at an elephant rescue park. Learn about Aria's adventure and other Study Away opportunities available through the LC Office of Global Engagement.
Cross Country
The Panthers launch the season today (Friday, Sept. 2) in the Foothills Invitational at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala.
Football
Saturday’s Panther Pride Day featured the second annual Team Pres. vs. Team A.D. intersquad game, with Team A.D. emerging victorious. The team kicks off its season on Sept. 10 at Berry College.
Men’s Soccer
The Panthers start fall competition with a home match today (Sept. 2) against Millsaps at 5 p.m. The squad also faces Pensacola Christian Saturday at home at 5 p.m.
Women’s Soccer
Last night’s match was rescheduled to today (Sept. 2) because of weather. The team faces Edward Waters in Jacksonville, Fla., at 11 a.m. They take on Trinity Baptist on Saturday, Sept. 3, also in Jacksonville.
Volleyball
The Panthers launched the year on Thursday, Sept. 1, at Emory University. They begin a tri-match today (Sept. 2) and tomorrow in Richter Gymnasium. Participating teams are Huntingdon, Alverno and N.C. Wesleyan.
Calendar
(Please note that schedules may change due to circumstances beyond our control. Please check www.lagrangepanthers.com to confirm.)
Friday, Sept. 2-Volleyball vs. Huntingdon, 1 p.m., Richter Gymnasium
Friday, Sept. 2-Volleyball vs. Alverno, 5 p.m., Richter Gymnasium
Friday, Sept. 2-Men’s Soccer vs. Millsaps, 5 p.m., Panther Field
Friday, Sept. 2-Cross Country at Foothills Invitational, 6 p.m., Oxford, Alabama
Saturday, Sept. 3-Volleyball vs. N.C. Wesleyan, 11 a.m., Richter Gymnasium
Saturday, Sept. 3-Women’s Soccer at Trinity Baptist, 3 p.m., Jacksonville, Florida
Saturday, Sept. 3-Men’s Soccer vs. Pensacola Christian, 5 p.m., Panther Field
Category: Students, Academics, College
Keywords: enrollment, college, students
