Berry welcomes more than 600 first-year students, transfers for fall semester

Photos:  Berry student Ansley Kimberly takes a break between classes. (Left to right) Katie Franklin, Michaela Grass, McKenzie Reeves and Robby Rook cross campus to their next classes.

 

Media release:  Students jumped back in the routine this week as Berry College welcomed returning students and embraced a new crop of freshmen.

 

President Stephen Briggs spoke to students, faculty and staff at the Opening Convocation Tuesday in the College Chapel.

 

"It is still the case that if you want to make something of yourself, if you want to be a good steward of the gifts and talents you have been given, you will need some hunger in your belly," Briggs said. "Be hungry to improve yourself.  Learning is about improving."

Quoting President Theodore Roosevelt, Briggs reminded students to be "a lifter not a leaner." 

 

Interesting facts about Berry's newest Vikings:

       

·       25 percent were in the top 10 percent of their graduating class.

·       11 were valedictorians and nine were salutatorians.

·       71 percent are from Georgia.

·       24 states and 10 countries are represented including Australia, Cayman Islands, China, India, Indonesia, Korea, Mexico, Rwanda, United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.

·       75 percent performed community service in high school.

·       More than 20 students are Eagle Scouts or Girls Scout Silver or Gold Award recipients.

·       75 had family members attend Berry.

According to preliminary data released by Berry's Office of Enrollment Management, more than 600 freshmen and transfer students are enrolled for the 2011-2012 school year. Berry's total undergraduate population will be approximately 1,900 students when enrollment numbers are finalized. Joining them will be more than 150 additional students who will be taking classes as part of Berry's master's and specialist programs this fall.