On August 30, the Babson community welcomed more than 600 new students and their families to campus for Orientation.
The day was filled with scenes signature of the Babson Orientation experience: peer mentors cheering at the front gate. Student-athletes helping move items into residence halls. A giant, inflatable Biz E. Beaver in front of Knight Auditorium—the perfect spot for a family photo.
New to this year’s mix: President Stephen Spinelli, Jr., MBA’92, PhD.
President Spinelli spent his first Orientation making new students feel right at home by greeting and speaking with families, handing out water and Babson pride magnets, and posing for plenty of photos.
Get to Know Babson’s Class of 2023
During Orientation, 601 first-year students were welcomed to Babson College’s community. Students descended upon the Wellesley campus from 34 states and 46 countries. Nine percent of students hold dual passports. Overall, 29 percent of the class of 2023 are international students from countries including China, India, Canada, Brazil, and Indonesia.
Among that group: 11 global scholars from 10 countries. Founded in 2014, Babson’s Global Scholars program awards need-based scholarships to a small, highly talented group of international students each year. This year’s group hails from Romania, Argentina, South Sudan, the United Kingdom, El Salvador, Brazil, Liberia, Nepal, Rwanda, and China.
The global scholars are one of many cohorts of merit award recipients, students awarded four-year scholarships upon acceptance to the College. The Class of 2023 also includes 18 Center for Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership scholars, 19 Presidential scholars, 12 Diversity Leadership scholars, 10 Posse scholars, and four Weissman scholars, along with several Blank, Enrico, NFTE, Junior Achievement, and DECA scholars. Outside of merit scholarships, Babson met 100 percent of first-year students’ demonstrated need.
This year, Babson received more than 6,000 applications for a spot in the incoming class.
“One-hundred years in the making, there is no better time to be at Babson. I am delighted to welcome new students, transfer students, and exchange students. From their first days to their final days at the College, the journey will be transformative,” said Ian Lapp, dean of the Undergraduate School. “In just their first month, they will prepare for a pitch competition, prototype new business ideas, and explore the new Weissman Foundry. I look forward to bearing witness to all that our students will accomplishment in the classroom, across campus, and beyond.”
Orientation programming aims to help incoming students adjust to the Babson lifestyle and transition into college by providing information and answers to academic, personal, and social questions. When classes began on September 4, the Class of 2023 got its first taste of Babson’s innovative curriculum designed for the changing business world. That curricular experience includes a 50/50 split between business and liberal arts courses, more than 25 concentrations to focus their studies, and Babson’s award-winning Foundations of Management and Entrepreneurship course where first-year students create, develop, launch, and manage a real venture.
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