Muhlenberg College welcomed 466 new students this year, marking its largest incoming class in four years. Orientation Weekend served as the first opportunity for the Class of 2028 to explore campus life and meet their peers. With 50 Orientation Leaders (OLs) and five Orientation Team Leaders (OTLs) guiding the way, the weekend was filled with activities designed to help students ease into their new environment and start building their Muhlenberg community.
Dean of Students Courtney Stephens explained that this year’s orientation theme, “Let the Adventure Begin,” set the tone for what incoming students could expect from their Muhlenberg experience. “Muhlenberg prides itself on being a liberal arts institution where students can take courses across different disciplines and engage in experiential learning,” she said. “The theme encourages students to explore new interests and get involved quickly, setting the expectation that the College is ready to welcome them home.”
The class of 2028 brings a wide range of backgrounds to campus. According to Dean of Admissions Eric Danielson, 33% of the class identifies as domestic students of color, and 22% are first-generation college students, the first in their families to pursue higher education. Additionally, 35% of the class is eligible for Pell Grants, indicating a commitment to making college accessible to students from a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds. These students hail from 28 states, Puerto Rico and five different countries, making it one of the most diverse classes in Muhlenberg’s history.
The national landscape for admissions was particularly challenging this year. “This class of first-year students had to navigate a lot of uncertainty,” shared Danielson. “Nationally, this is the first admissions cycle after the Supreme Court limited the use of race in the college admissions process.” He also mentioned the delays in the release of the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which created complications for families and colleges alike. “Despite these challenges, this class showed great resilience and remained engaged throughout the application process.”
This group of first-year students is also the first to participate in Muhlenberg’s new Pathways for Discovery curriculum and coaching model, programs designed to enhance the academic experience and support students throughout their four years at the college. Danielson expressed his excitement about the diversity and resilience of this class, noting that it reflects Muhlenberg’s ongoing commitment to equity, inclusion and belonging.
Dean Stephens highlighted the importance of Muhlenberg’s orientation programming in connecting students with the college’s values. “While many aspects of the four-day experience reflect Muhlenberg’s values, Saturday’s ‘Mules are…’ day stands out,” she explained. “Sessions like ‘Mules are…Empowered and Responsible’ and ‘Mules are…Inclusive’ allowed us to foster community in a healthy, safe and intentional way.”
Orientation Weekend began with check-in and residence hall move-ins, setting the stage for an action-packed schedule. The Resource Fair and lunch provided students with a chance to explore campus resources and start making connections with their peers. The weekend officially kicked off at Empie Theatre, where students gathered for an energetic introduction to the orientation events ahead.
One of the highlights of the weekend was the traditional Big Prize Bingo, where students had the opportunity to bond over games and win prizes. Alyssa Kaplan ’25, an Orientation Team Lead, described it as “a special first-year experience, filled with a variety of means to spark connections.” Kaplan’s role allowed her to support a group of OLs and help guide first-year students through the weekend. She noted, “Watching the students in the orientation groups begin to feel more comfortable around one another and find their footing on campus was incredibly rewarding.”
Kaplan highlighted the extensive planning involved, stating, “The OTLs worked weekly with Tim Black, the director of student transitions, to bring Orientation Weekend to life. It was a group effort.” She also addressed the varied responses from first-year students: “The response to orientation from first-years ranges from pure joy to disinterest to curiosity. The OLs did an incredible job welcoming all feelings and reactions, which helped build common ground across Orientation groups.”
The Bash at Burkholder, sponsored by Student Government, brought vibrant music and socializing to the campus, energizing the new students as they began their college journey. The schedule also featured academic advising sessions, open houses for Theater & Dance and interactive discussions on keys to academic success. Special events such as Shabbat Services, the Headphone Disco and a Welcome Back BBQ offered diverse opportunities for students to engage with one another and immerse themselves in Muhlenberg’s dynamic community.
Orientation is not just for first-years, however. Transfer students were also welcomed to campus over the weekend. Despite being a smaller group with 18 students, transfer students are an integral part of the Muhlenberg community, bringing their own unique experiences from other institutions. Their orientation program provided them with opportunities to connect with both fellow transfers and first-years, allowing them to ease into life at Muhlenberg with the same support network.
Student Government Association President Vishmitha Dsouza ‘26 echoed the excitement surrounding the class of 2028, praising their active participation in recent campus events. “I am thrilled to welcome the class of 2028 to Muhlenberg! Their enthusiasm and active engagement, including their impressive participation in the recent student government special election, truly stand out. We’re excited to have four first-year representatives joining us this year, and I’m eager to see how their fresh perspectives and energy will shape our community and contribute to our campus life.”
As Orientation Weekend came to a close, it was clear that the class of 2028 had already begun to leave its mark on the Muhlenberg community. With their diverse backgrounds and resilient spirits, these students are poised to make the most of their college experience and contribute to the vibrant campus culture for years to come.