Class of 2009 descends on Hilltop Campus in impressive numbers

If it’s true that there is strength in numbers, then the numbers show that the incoming freshman class — the Class of 2009 — is nothing if not strong.

The approximately 1,390 first-year students hail from all over the world and represent approximately 19 countries, 47 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam.

They arrived Aug. 25 and have been busy unpacking, learning their way around the Hilltop Campus and gearing up for the fall semester, which began Aug. 31.

Many in the select group were academic leaders, officers in student government and participants in extracurricular activities and athletics in high school. Collectively, the incoming class has received more than 2,200 special awards and recognitions.

In addition:

• 872 students are National Honor Society members;

• 171 were senior class officers, and 460 were officers in service organizations;

• Many served as editors — 91 of yearbooks and 137 of newspapers;

• 356 were members of their school bands or orchestras and 207 were members of a choir or chorus, and;

• In athletics, 424 were team captains.

“It is a delight to have such a talented and diverse freshman class on campus,” said Nanette H. Tarbouni, director of undergraduate admissions. “We encourage everyone to extend a warm welcome to them.”

In addition to accumulating impressive statistics during their high-school years, the freshmen were chosen from a record number of applicants — more than 21,000.

“We are excited that so many students chose to come to Washington University,” Tarbouni said. “That is quite a compliment to the Washington University community.”