St. Mary's College Welcomes Incoming Class Of 2019

From Michael McAlpin, Saint Mary’s College of California:

More than 660 first-year students moved into their residence halls at Saint Mary’s College of California on Thursday, kicking off the College’s annual Weekend of Welcome (WoW) for new and returning students.

The incoming “Gaeltastic” class of 2019 reflects a highly diverse, smart, and engaged group—47 percent are from the Bay Area, 11 percent from Southern California, 18 percent from out of state, and 3 percent hail from 12 different countries.

The class also has true brainiac street cred. Twenty-four percent of the class were admitted with Honors or Presidential Scholarships, more than 40 percent arrive with AP credits and the middle 50 percent of GPAs ranged from 3.4 to 3.9.

In keeping with the Saint Mary’s tradition, 160 student volunteers, made up of sophomores, juniors, and seniors, swoop in to help unload the cars of first-year students and carry boxes, books, and overall college gear to the new student’s residence hall. This short video from last year’s move in day shows how volunteers, affectionately called “Wowies” unload cars with the speed and efficiency rivaling a NASCAR pit crew.

WoW activities include a Welcome Mass, resource fair, carnival, convocation, campus recreation pool party and a farewell barbecue for families. WoW traditions also include a Saturday of Service where hundreds of first-year students will get firsthand experience with Saint Mary’s mission of service by volunteering to provide community service in neighborhoods across the Bay Area.

Students will gather at 9 a.m. in front of the College’s Chapel and will board buses to do volunteer work at the AlamedaPoint Collaborative in Alameda, Contra Costa Food Bank in Concord, EcoVillage Farm in Richmond, and Urban Farmers in Lafayette.

New students can also take part in the distinctively sloppy but fun tradition of painting the large SMC letters on the hill overlooking the campus. No brushes are allowed; students use only their hands. The photogenic “Paint the SMC” event happens on Sunday, Aug. 30 from 3:30 to 5 p.m.