'On a Rocket'
Ohio Wesleyan's Bold, Innovative Approach Attracts Largest Class in 17 Years
DELAWARE, Ohio – Ohio Wesleyan University is celebrating its largest incoming class in 17 years and its largest two-year enrollment increase in the 21st century.
Ohio Wesleyan's Class of 2029 features approximately 580 new Bishops from 30 states and 23 countries selected from a pool of nearly 6,000 applicants. It also includes more than 50 transfer students — the largest transfer class in OWU's 183-year history.
"Thanks to the extraordinary efforts of our community, Ohio Wesleyan is on a rocket," said President Matt vandenBerg, Ed.D. "We are dramatically expanding access and affordability through innovative initiatives like the Delaware County Promise. We meet the dynamic needs of today's learners in astonishingly personalized fashion, as exemplified by our recognition as one of the nation's most transfer-friendly universities. And with one of the top experiential learning programs and a distinctive value proposition, it's thrilling to see the flood of students and families saying 'yes.'"
Welcoming New Bishops
Ohio Wesleyan's first-year students moved in Aug. 14 and participated in a welcome-to-campus convocation ceremony that included advice and inspiration from vandenBerg, student government President Raazia Aamir, and others.
Ohio Wesleyan "is a place where you'll be challenged, where you'll be supported, and where you'll be inspired," vandenBerg told the students and their families. "It's the place where your curiosity and your ambition come together to create opportunity. …
"As you begin your journey, remember this," vandenBerg said: "Be bold, be curious, show up for each other, and don't be afraid to shake things off when the road gets messy. You're stepping into a community with a remarkable history and an even more extraordinary future. And together, there's nothing that we can't accomplish."
'The Adventure of a Lifetime'
Aamir, a physics: pre-engineering major, told her fellow students that she recalls feeling both excited and anxious when she began her Ohio Wesleyan journey.
"But here's what I found," Aamir, now president of the Wesleyan Council on Student Affairs, told the Class of 2029. "This community will meet you where you are, and walk with you as you grow. …
"You are about to start one of the greatest adventures of your life," said Aamir, a senior from Karachi, Pakistan. "This journey will stretch you, shape you, challenge you, and – if you let it – transform you. … You're in for the adventure of a lifetime."
'You Are Exceptional'
Adam Smith, MBA, Ohio Wesleyan's vice president for enrollment, officially presented the new students and shared information about the classmates to help them get acquainted.
"Let's talk about who you are," he said, "because this class? You are exceptional." Smith told OWU's newest Bishops:
- You were selected from a pool of nearly 6,000 applicants.
- You represent 30 states and 23 countries.
- 39% of you are first-gen students – the first in your families to go to college.
- 75 have a family member who attended Ohio Wesleyan.
- 28 are international students and 170 are U.S. multicultural students, making this one of Ohio Wesleyan's most diverse classes in years.
- More than 50 of you are transfer students — the largest transfer class in OWU history.
"Academically," Smith told the Class of 2029, "you crushed it."
- 14 of you were valedictorian of your high school class, six were salutatorian, and three were recognized as National Merit Scholarship honorees.
- 93 reported being a member of the National Honor Society.
- 13 completed study abroad or exchange experiences while in high school.
- Nearly 200 took college courses in high school through dual enrollment or College Credit Plus.
"Outside the classroom," Smith continued, "you've been busy."
- 238 of you participated in varsity sports in high school.
- 110 were team captains.
- 41 earned All-Star, All-State, or All-Region honors.
- 60 were involved in theater, and 25 played a lead role or served as the director.
- 129 were involved in a music group in high school, and 45 participated in marching band.
- 14 were the editor of your school's newspaper or yearbook.
- 11 were active in Model United Nations.
In addition to these activities, Smith continued, "you led and served."
- 10 of you achieved the rank of Life or Eagle Scout or earned the Silver or Gold Girl Scout Award.
- 59 served as president of a club in your high school.
- 20 were student body or class president.
- More than 35 were heavily involved in clubs dedicated to diversity, equity, and belonging.
- 232 held a part-time job while in high school. "Now that is hustle!"
Next, Smith shared some "fun facts about this amazing group," telling the crowd:
- You haven't all decided on your academic majors yet – and that's OK! – but your most popular interests include Business, Psychology, Health and Human Kinetics, Computer Science, Zoology, Biology, and, of course, Undecided. ("We see you, undecided students!")
- Some of the most popular first names in the new class are Logan, Matthew, Tyler, Aiden, John, Emma, Mia, Olivia, Abigail, and Ava.
Smith concluded by highlighting "just a few more jaw-dropping things about your classmates," noting that Ohio Wesleyan's Class of 2029 includes:
- A three-time winner of New York's regional "Stars of Tomorrow" musical theatre awards.
- A chess prodigy who started in first grade and now competes at a national level.
- An Air Force Cadet and a member of the Bangladesh National Cadet Corps.
- A Bolivarian folk music and dance performer.
- A World Cup esports champion.
- A Rubik's Cube expert who solves the puzzle in under 30 seconds!
- Founders of businesses including Opal's Yarns, Caren Pro-Prints and More, and Tasty Bakes.
- A Special Olympics athlete who competed internationally for Team USA.
- A synchronized swimmer who earned silver at the Junior Olympic Nationals.
- A licensed drone pilot and gold medalist in the International Youth Math Olympiad.
- A Cello Festival participant who earned superior ratings four years in a row.
- A certified Ohio Volunteer Naturalist.
- Students who've interned with JP Morgan Chase, KPMG, Mastercard, and Skyscanner.
- A punk rocker from the band Greenie Weenie. ("Yes, really!")
- A classmate who raised $120,000 to build schools in Malawi, in southeastern Africa.
- The nation's Scholar All-American Player of the Year in men's high school soccer.
- A self-taught crocheter.
- A TikTok influencer.
- A set of twins who were both valedictorians.
- And someone who won first place in a national equine competition!
What a class," Smith concluded. "You are diverse, dynamic, determined – and now, you are all Ohio Wesleyan Battling Bishops … (and) one of the most well-rounded, spirited, and accomplished classes we've ever had the pleasure of welcoming."
Learn more about enrolling at Ohio Wesleyan at owu.edu/admission.
Ohio Wesleyan's Class of 2029 moved in Aug. 14 and participated in an opening convocation ceremony. Watch this recap and view photos from the day and their Camp Oh-Wooo experiences. (Video by Mark Schmitter '12)
Founded in 1842, Ohio Wesleyan University is one of the nation's premier liberal arts universities. Located in Delaware, Ohio, the private university offers more than 70 undergraduate majors and competes in 24 NCAA Division III varsity sports. Through its signature experience, the OWU Connection, Ohio Wesleyan teaches students to understand issues from multiple academic perspectives, volunteer in service to others, build a diverse and global perspective, and translate classroom knowledge into real-world experience through internships, research, and other hands-on learning. Ohio Wesleyan is featured in the book "Colleges That Change Lives" and included on the U.S. News & World Report and Princeton Review "Best Colleges" lists. Connect with OWU expert interview sources at owu.edu/experts or learn more at owu.edu.