Cheered on by faculty, staff, alumni, and returning students, Lawrence University’s Class of 2030 crossed Main Hall Green and passed through the Welcome Arch on Sept. 8, marking the start of their Lawrence journeys.
Families and supporters filled campus throughout Move-In Day as new Lawrentians settled into residence halls and gathered for the President’s Welcome in Memorial Chapel.
The President Welcome brought together 386 incoming new students, 29 transfer, and 18 international students, along with their families, faculty, and staff, to celebrate the beginning of their Lawrence journeys. The Class of 2030 represents students from more than 37 states from and 10 countries. Among U.S. students, the most represented states are Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Florida, Texas, Colorado, and New York. New International students come from 10 countries, with Canada, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Norway, and South Korea as the most represented countries.
Robert Noak, vice president of enrollment and dean of admissions, reminded students that Lawrence intentionally selected them for the community they are now joining.
“While you chose Lawrence, it is important to remember something else: Lawrence chose you,” Noak said. “We saw in you the qualities that will strengthen this community and help you thrive in it. Class of 2030, welcome to Lawrence. Your story starts here.”
Throughout the ceremony, speakers emphasized belonging, resilience, and the freedom to pursue multiple passions. Tara Winston-Sage ’00, dean of spiritual and religious life, told students they each have a unique role to play in shaping the campus community.
“May you find that you belong here at Lawrence, knowing that you are meant to be here, that you will add to this place in only the way that you can, and that our community will be so much stronger because you walked through the arch,” Winston-Sage shared.
Chris Clarke, vice president for student life, encouraged students to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, reminding them that setbacks are a natural part of the college experience.
“Failure here isn’t a dead end. It’s a chance to get better, to lift yourself up, and learn from that failure,” Clarke said. “For if this experience does not challenge you, it will not change you.”
Peter Blitstein, provost and dean of the faculty, shared the purpose of a liberal arts and sciences education, noting that the word “liberal” stems from the Latin word liber, meaning free. He said a Lawrence education is designed to prepare students to pursue meaningful lives and contribute thoughtfully to society.
President Laurie A. Carter welcomed the newest Lawrentians by sharing the significance of the Lawrence Arch, a tradition that symbolizes both the beginning and culmination of a student’s Lawrence experience. She challenged students to stretch beyond their comfort zones, embrace intellectual curiosity, and develop the ethical leadership skills needed to address real-world challenges. Carter also announced the opening of The Hub, a new downtown facility dedicated to wellness, athletic training, music practice, and holistic student development.
“Higher education is not simply preparation for a job; it is preparation for a meaningful life,” President Carter shared. “The arch stands as a reminder that education is both a journey and a transformation.”
Lawrence traditions were also highlighted during the Welcome ceremony as LUCC President Brook Schara ’27 inspired students to become active participants in shaping campus life.
“Being a Lawrentian is a privilege, a gift, and a hard-earned opportunity,” Schara said. “It’s an open-door invitation to learning, leading, and belonging. You’re not just going to Lawrence; you’re helping define and create it.”
The continuity between generations of Lawrentians was reinforced when Maggie Schmidt ’12, president of the Lawrence University Alumni Association, introduced the passing of the Class Colors, a tradition that started with the Milwaukee Downer College, a premiere woman’s college that consolidated with Lawrence in 1964. Faith Onukaogu from the Class of 2026 formally presented the Class of 2030 with its red class banner, symbolizing the newest students’ place within the Lawrence community.
“You are joining a community of more than 22,000 alumni across the globe,” Schmidt said. “You are a student for four or five years, but you are forever a Lawrentian.”
The sense of belonging celebrated throughout the ceremony was already taking shape for many new students. Classmates, volunteers, and residence hall extraordinaries helped ease the transition to campus, while the Welcome Arch procession offered an early glimpse of the supportive community that defines the Lawrence experience.
“I’m really excited. It’s been a really welcoming community,” Aidan Wilbert ’30 said. “Everybody has been very helpful with move-in and everything. The whole campus seems just amazing, and I’m really excited to start classes.”
As Welcome Week continues, Lawrence’s newest students will participate in activities designed to help them build friendships, explore campus resources, and prepare for the start of classes. Fall term classes begin Sept. 14. By then, members of the Class of 2030 will have already begun building the relationships, confidence, and sense of belonging that will shape their Lawrence journeys for years to come and position them to make an impact far beyond the Lawrence campus.
