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This fall, Carthage welcomes nearly 800 new students aboard.

A community welcome for students and their families in the N. E. Tarble Athletic and Recreation Center Field House highlighted the opening day of New Student Orientation on Sept. 1.

Incoming 2019 students and families attended a community welcome Sept. 1 in the Field House of th...

Carthage president John Swallow told members of the Class of 2023 to set the tone for their college experience right away in the “momentum year,” even if their specific interests aren’t locked in yet. They have plenty of willing helpers on campus, he added, pointing to the College’s new holistic advising system.

“You have a team,” President Swallow said. “This team will be with you from the beginning of your journey to the successful launch of your professional lives.”

Students move into their residence halls with help from volunteers on Sept. 1, 2019. Student Government president Micah Pahl ’21 empathized with the new students’ jitters, noting that he came to campus knowing almost nobody. Those concerns faded quickly as he made friends in student organizations and connected with faculty mentors.

“All of your journeys will be unique,” he said, “but every single one will be great — if you open yourself up to the opportunities Carthage has to offer.”

Adriana Perez ’22 shared tips from even more recent experience as a freshman. The returning sophomore reassured the audience it’s possible to balance classwork and a job and cautioned students not to measure their accomplishments against others’.

“We all have our own goals,” she said, “and what matters is that we take small steps to reach them.”

Move-in volunteers show off their spirit Sept. 1, 2019. Lucky students left the welcome event with some unique door prizes, from lunch with President Swallow to a one-on-one lesson with expert faculty in magic or digital photography.

As of Sept. 1, the incoming 2019 class comprised 700 freshmen and 87 transfer students. The newcomers arrived from 26 different U.S. states — including Alaska and Hawaii — and five other countries. About 27 percent come from historically underrepresented minorities.

Sessions offering extra help for international and first-generation students preceded the three days of orientation activities. Once classes begin, new and returning students alike are invited to participate in a series of Kick-Off Days events.

The journey begins