Trinity College welcomed 506 new students last week at the President’s Convocation and Matriculation. The reach of the Class of 2029 is global, with 47 international students—including Trinity’s first student from Tajikistan—making up about 10 percent of the cohort. There are 36 countries represented in the Class of 2029 alone, and nearly 85 countries represented in the student body overall.
Trinity received 7,488 applications from more than 140 different countries this year, with the Class of 2029 reflecting a 29-percent acceptance rate. The number continues to increase the College’s three-year applications average.
“The 482 Bantams of Trinity ’29, our 23 distinguished transfer additions, and our one new Individualized Degree Program scholar now gift Trinity with a compelling blend of experiences and perspectives,” Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid Matthew Hyde said.
“International students add such amazing dimension to our class,” Hyde said. “They are drawn to Trinity because of how well supported they are here, and because we have a really healthy and diverse international population.”
Twenty-two new students followed a family member to Trinity, while 76 members of the Class of 2029 report that they will become the first members of their families to earn a four-year college degree, Hyde said. These first-generation college students account for about 16 percent of the class.
First-year students are bringing their academic success and their athletics talents to Trinity. Among the Class of 2029 are 158 students who were awarded a merit-based scholarship, including 11 who received a full-tuition Presidential Scholarship. There are also 10 Posse Scholars and 11 United World College Scholars. A total of 174 members of the Class of 2029 were recruited to represent the Bantams on athletic teams.
Of the nearly 7,500 students in this year’s applicant pool, 59 percent applied for financial aid. Hyde said that 78 percent of the members of Trinity’s Class of 2029 received a financial aid award from the College.
Hyde added that there is much more to the Class of 2029 than numbers. “The strength of a class really rests in the humanity in it,” he said. “This class really delivers on talent and dimension. Each and every one of these students has a compelling story. I can’t wait to see how they swirl together on campus. They have so much to look forward to here at Trinity.”
For 20 years, the Trinity International Hip Hop Festival has brought together artists, students, and community members from Hartford and across the globe. A new photo exhibit opening in conjunction with this year’s festival celebrates its history and legacy.
Highlights from March included the arrival of spring, talks by many special guests, an art exhibit opening, musical performances, Trinity students conducting research, Hartford students learning to skate, and more events that brought the community together.
Multi-time tech CEO, entrepreneur, and Trinity Trustee N. Louis “Lou” Shipley ’85 will be the speaker at the College’s 200th Commencement on Sunday, May 17. Honorary degrees will be awarded to Joanne Berger-Sweeney, Trinity College president, emerita, and Carolyn “Carrie” Pelzel ’74.
Activist, scholar, poet, and educator Alexis Pauline Gumbs gave a reading and joined a discussion on campus as the keynote event in Trinity College’s celebration of Women’s Herstory Month.
