Roanoke College is welcoming over 480 freshmen and transfer students to campus, marking the start of an exciting chapter for a new generation of Maroons.
The incoming class hails from 28 states, spanning from California to Maine, and 16 countries. Eleven percent of freshmen are in the honors program.
From the first moments of move-in weekend, students are welcomed into a community where they can find belonging, build lasting connections, and embrace new opportunities to learn and grow.
“You're in for the adventure of a lifetime,” President Frank Shushok Jr. said in his welcome to students. “At Roanoke College, every Maroon is on a journey of discovering our purpose, learning to lead and serve, and forming our character.”
“We’re always becoming our next best selves and trying to live as fully and bravely as we possibly can,” he said.
That commitment to student success and community can be seen across campus, with new spaces and programs coming online. This year’s students will be the first to use the brand-new McConnon Discovery Center, a $60 million STEM facility with cutting-edge classrooms and laboratories.
The 32,000-square-foot building will house several of Roanoke’s most popular majors and more than half of all student research projects. Every student will benefit from the 21st-century facilities as all take some level of science courses as part of their comprehensive education. A ribbon-cutting for the McConnon Discovery Center will be held Oct. 22.
Other new milestones on campus include:
- Reopening one of Roanoke’s largest residence halls after an extensive, yearlong renovation. Crawford Hall, which houses 130 students, is returning to service with new interiors, expanded community space, and state-of-the-art HVAC.
- Unveiling a two-story mural that evokes the beauty of the region’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Located on the side of Ayres Hall, visible from Clay Street, the mural was designed in collaboration with the city and strengthens the visual link between campus and the downtown historical district. The mural was completed by local artist Nicole Gray.
- Creating a pathway for local high school students to earn an associate’s degree at no cost through the Explore@RC dual enrollment program. Explore@RC is an innovative, grant-funded service open to 10th-12th graders. This fall, 52 students are enrolled in the program.
- Launching 3-year, online degrees tailored to the needs of working professionals who need more flexible paths to career-advancing credentials. The abridged bachelor’s degrees are available in public administration and cannabis studies.
- Introducing a multi-part character education initiative with resources for students, faculty, staff and alumni mentors. Backed by a major national grant, the project is designed to prepare students to lead with integrity, compassion, and resourcefulness.
- Offering free trainings in AI fundamentals, data analytics, project management and more through a partnership with Google. The skill-building resources are available to students, faculty and staff.
Each step forward is guided by the college’s strategic plan and its commitment to serving learners, supporting the exploration of character and purpose, and creating a campus experience that is inspiring and innovative. Together, those imperatives help shape an environment where students can discover their strengths and open doors to new opportunities.
“Roanoke College is a place that offers you the chance to grow intellectually, socially, emotionally and spiritually,” Mark Campbell, interim vice president for Student Success, said during a welcome to students. “There will be moments of accomplishment and growth, and of course, there will also be challenges. When those challenges come, remember that you are not alone. You are now part of a community that makes your success its mission.”