EC Welcomes the Impressive Class of 2028!

Elmira College Orientation leaders, student-athletes, coaches, staff, and more teamed up to greet one of the largest incoming classes of EC first-year and transfer students in recent years. The Impressive Class of 2028 arrived on campus Friday during the annual Fall Welcome.

Spirits were high despite cooler temperatures and a fine mist that hung in the air, which helped families stay cool as they unpacked, visited places on campus, and then attended the traditional President’s Welcome Ceremony on Cowles Lawn.

Karen and Keith Ogles of Rochester, New York, were experienced at getting unpacked and settled as they helped their son, Jayden Ogles ’28, move into his residence hall.

“This was our third drop-off in several weeks so we were able to get in and get out,” shared Karen Ogles, explaining that Jayden is a triplet and they had learned tricks after dropping off the other two siblings. The trick was assigning tasks.

According to Patrick Gillette, Director of Admissions, “This year’s first-year students come from 22 states and territories and 12 countries. They will join a student body drawn from 40 states and territories and 25 countries.” Gillette provided some additional fun facts about the incoming group:

• Average GPA is 3.3 and nearly 100% are Elmira College Scholarship recipients

• Traveling from afar:

• Father Peter Singano ’28 traveled the farthest: 7,771 miles from Tanga, Tanzania.

• Katie Witt ’28 traveled the farthest within the United States: 3,095 miles from her home in Fairbanks, Alaska

• Chance Collins ’28 only trekked 1.1 miles from Roe Avenue in Elmira, the shortest distance for the Class.

• Seventeen students are following in the footsteps of family members who attended EC and six students currently have siblings at EC including two sets of twins.

• Some of the other countries students traveled from include Canada, Columbia, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Ghana, Japan, Nepal, Norway, Spain, Tanzania, and the Bahamas.

• States and territories represented beyond New York are Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, Vermont, and Virginia.

The general consensus among the students was that they felt “excited and nervous” arriving on campus.

In his address, Dr. Charles Lindsay, Elmira College President, made certain to point out to the incoming students that, at EC, they’ll have a support network.

“And remember, you are not alone,” he told them. “As you navigate through your academic and personal journey, know that our dedicated staff is here to support and guide you along the way. Whether you seek advice on academics, career planning or personal matters, we are committed to your well-being and success. The EC community is a family, and we are here to lift each other up, embrace each other’s differences, and inspire one another to be the best.”

Similarly, alumnus Dallas Winchell ’18, Supply Chain Specialist at Corning, Incorporated, shared his advice, advising the new students to start “maintaining a balance.” He encouraged the students to take care of themselves before taking care of others and “If you need to stay in your room and do nothing sometimes, that’s OK.”

As is tradition, the ceremonies ended with the ‘Elmira Hug,’ when family members hug their student and say their goodbyes.

But not every student had a family member nearby. Many international students traveled to EC on their own, so the International Club organized a group of “huggers” to make certain no one felt left out.

“When I first came I didn’t have anyone to hug,” explained Mihret Haile '26, a Nursing major from Ethiopia and president of the International Club. “It was a little lonely. But now that I am president of the International Club I can do something about it. So I gathered fellow peers to provide hugs.”

Following the hug, families were encouraged to get on the road and let their students immerse themselves fully into campus life.

As the Ogles reflected on the day, they were impressed.

“I really liked it. I felt like everything was very organized,” said Karen Ogles. They’re excited that their son and the rest of the Impressive Class of 2028 will spend the next few days staying busy with activities and events that will help them get to know each other and the campus.

Returning students will arrive Sunday, September 1 and the academic year will officially begin with the first day of classes on Monday, September 2.