GRANVILLE, Ohio — Thursday, Aug. 23, marks the day when members of Denison University’s Class of 2016 will embark on their college careers. First-year students will begin moving into their campus residences beginning in the morning and will officially join the Denison student body that evening during the traditional Induction Ceremony to be held at the Reese­~Shackelford Common. The class, some 632 strong and hailing from 42 states and 16 foreign countries, will be welcomed in a formal celebration officiated by President Dale T. Knobel. More than 200 members of the faculty will join to “clap the class in.” During the opening processional, the class will hear an original musical fanfare composed by Ching-Chu Hu, associate professor of music and dedicated especially to their class.

Perry Robinson, Denison vice president and director of admissions, is enthusiastic about the Class of 2016. “This class has great diversity and potential in many arenas, especially in scholarship and leadership. They are an exceptionally well-rounded group of individuals, with a proven ability to make the most of their academic life.”



The first-year students will continue their orientation to Denison’s campus and culture with a series of special events that will take place over several days of August Orientation. The programming is designed to develop skills critical to success in college and facilitate a smooth transition from secondary school to college life.

Members of fall varsity athletic teams have arrived over the last week for preseason preparation. In addition, various campus and residential life student staff members arrived early. Upper class students returning to Denison will arrive over the weekend, and classes will begin on Monday, Aug. 27.

More than 50 percent of the Class of 2016 graduated in the top 10 percent of their secondary school class, and the class has an average combined SAT score approaching 1300, an ACT composite score of 29. The median high school grade-point average of the incoming class is 3.5. Additionally, multicultural students comprise nearly 30 percent of the class.

This class includes 29 class presidents, 18 school newspaper editors, more than 380 participants in the fine and performing arts, and 321 who have held full- or part-time jobs while attending school. The vast majority were leaders in community service, and 127 were involved in student government. More than three-quarters of the members of the incoming class were involved in varsity athletics at their secondary schools. Among those athletes, 127 led their peers as team captains and 111 earned All-State recognition.

About Denison:

Denison University, founded in 1831, is an independent, residential liberal arts institution located in Granville, Ohio. A highly selective college enrolling 2,100 full-time undergraduate students from all 50 states and dozens of foreign countries, Denison is a place where innovative faculty and motivated students collaborate in rigorous scholarship, civic engagement and the cultivation of independent thinking.

For press inquiries:

Name

Ginny Sharkey

Position Title

Media Relations

Primary Email

sharkeyv@denison.edu

Business Phone

(740) 587-6266