St. Olaf welcomes the Class of 2026
This fall St. Olaf welcomed the Class of 2026, the largest group of incoming students in the college’s history.
The newest members of the St. Olaf community are a talented group of 869 first-year students and 18 transfer students who hail from 447 high schools and 18 colleges in 41 states and 55 countries. One in five are the first members of their family to attend college, and the class includes 22 percent domestic students of color and 10 percent international students.
“You are smart, talented, caring, engaged, passionate, and adventurous,” Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid Chris George ’94 told the students and their families at a special welcome ceremony during move-in weekend. “You are individuals of action and substance who want to make an impact on the world. You are Oles!”
The St. Olaf community — your community — comes together on this Hill from all corners of the world. As we each bring our own identities, backgrounds, and experiences, together we enrich and evolve what makes St. Olaf so special: a community that is dedicated to making an impact on the world.Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid Chris George ’94
In their first week on campus, these newest Oles participated in a wide variety of orientation activities, got to know new friends and faculty members, met President David R. Anderson ’74 while signing their name in the college book, and joined the campus community for Opening Convocation.
“The St. Olaf community — your community — comes together on this Hill from all corners of the world. As we each bring our own identities, backgrounds, and experiences, together we enrich and evolve what makes St. Olaf so special: a community that is dedicated to making an impact on the world,” George told incoming students. “Welcome to St. Olaf. I can’t wait to see what you will accomplish. Um! Yah! Yah!”
Welcome, Class of 2026!
Watch an introduction to our newest group of Oles below.
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