“We’ve Been Waiting for You!” St. Lawrence Welcomes Class of 2029
Cheers—and a few tears—could be heard and seen across campus on Saturday as the Class of 2029 moved into their new home at St. Lawrence University.
Orientation Leaders (OL) lined the entrances, offering celebratory greetings and helping families navigate the busy, sometimes emotional, morning as they prepared to say goodbye.
“Knowing this is the next generation of Laurentians is really special to me, so I wanted to make them feel welcome, especially since I had great OLs my freshman year who really made me feel included on campus,” said Emily Siansky ’26, a senior OL who was among the many student leaders assisting with the move-in.
This year, a new initiative invited student-athletes to join the effort. Members of various athletic teams pitched in alongside OLs, unloading luggage from minivans and U-Hauls to streamline the usually labor-intensive process.
“It’s really nice to connect with the first-years and make them feel welcomed as they’re moving in, especially since I know their last moments with their parents can be tough,” said Brennan Twombly ’27, a football player who helped carry bags and boxes into residence halls.
The warm reception seemed to comfort and energize both students and their families.
“I was admittedly a little nervous before check-in, but now that everything went smoothly all my nerves are settled, and I’m excited for this new chapter,” said Bly Ely ’29 of Lake George, N.Y., who plans to major in St. Lawrence’s new cybersecurity program.
Joshua Janoff, whose son is a first-year from Seattle, described the day as an emotional milestone.
“Bittersweet, emotional, happy, elated, nervous, overjoyed—my son is nervous in a good way, I’m nervous in a good way, and his mom is all over the place,” he said. He praised the University's efforts to ease the transition: “The whole morning has been really integrated, kind, and thoughtful. The University clearly put a lot of thought into making sure everyone is in the right place and supported.”
Families also appreciated newly renovated residence halls—featuring rooms with new fixtures and finishes, including dimmable LED lighting—and expanded lounges with kitchenettes and smart TVs, electric fireplaces, updated flooring and furniture, climate control improvements, and freshly painted interiors.
On Saturday afternoon, the Class of 2029 gathered for the University’s formal Matriculation Ceremony, an annual tradition that officially welcomes new students into the Laurentian community. Following a bagpipe-led processional, speakers including President Kate Morris addressed first-year students.
“Today at Matriculation, we formally welcome you as new members of our living and learning community at St. Lawrence University,” Morris said. “Together, we will continue the proud tradition of academic excellence that has defined St. Lawrence University since 1856. We welcome you wholeheartedly to your new community—our Laurentian community—and we are excited to get to know you, to work with you, and to experience the impact that you will make during your years here at St. Lawrence and beyond.”
“Class of 2029, we have been waiting for you,” University Chaplain Shaun Whitehead said. “Today, you join a rich Laurentian tradition committed to the task of exploring the complicated and wonderous world in which we live.”
Vice President for Student Life Jon Duraj encouraged students to care for one another and to make the most of their time. “The strength of St. Lawrence rests in its community, and I’m excited to see how each of you will make this place more special than it already is,” he said.
Newly appointed Vice President for Enrollment Management and Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid Jonathan Kent ’04 shared his delight in returning to his alma mater and highlighted details about the incoming class.
The Class of 2029 includes students from 30 U.S. states and 29 countries. They represent 328 high schools and include 84 first-generation college students, 193 varsity athletes, 121 students interested in business, finance, or economics, 37 with pre-professional goals, 33 planning to study psychology, and at least 50 eager to explore the breadth of the liberal arts. The high schools most represented in the Class of 2029, he said, are Darien High School in Connecticut, the United World College East Africa Moshi Campus in Tanzania, the Brooks School in Massachusetts, and Potsdam High School, right down the road.
In her closing remarks, Associate Dean of the First Year Jennifer Thomas encouraged students to reach out for support.
“If there is a worry or a question, ask for help,” she said. “Our doors are open, and I promise you there is not a single person on this campus who has it all figured out.”
Following tearful hugs goodbye with their families, students left Matriculation with their FYP groups to kick off an eventful week of Orientation activities.
On Sunday, the first-years prepared for the annual FYP Cup, a collection of friendly competitions against fellow FYP groups over the course of the first semester which includes lawn games, trivia, and the highly-anticipated song-writing contest, where students write a jingle that best represents their FYP, and perform it in front of the other FYP groups.
On Monday, students departed for Backyard Adventures, a signature (and newer) St. Lawrence tradition featuring local excursions across the North Country—from roller skating and hiking to pottery painting and boat tours.
When they returned from their exciting outings, students were welcomed back to campus for the New Student Picnic with President Morris at the MacAllaster House, where first-years got to meet and share a meal with the President at her residence.
Orientation wrapped up Tuesday evening with Ready, Set, SLU—an event on the Quad in front of Kirk Douglas Hall featuring zip-line, archery games, snow-cones and cotton-candy, and an outdoor movie showing.
The packed schedule of Orientation events also included shared meals with FYP groups, academic meet-and-greets, wellness and safety seminars, campus tours, scavenger hunts, and other activities all designed to build connections and community as students begin their St. Lawrence journey.
