Class of 2009 moves onto the Hill

One student interned for a congressman and worked on George W. Bush's presidential campaign. Another writes music in his spare time. A third enjoys rock climbing.

McDaniel's 448 incoming freshmen and 70 transfer students arrived from 23 states and Washington D.C. Several have spent time living in other countries including Beijing , Ecuador, Germany, Korea, Poland, Russia and Vietnam.

But one thing the class of 2009 shares is a connection to their roots and a compassion for family.

One student overcame unimaginable hardship after losing his mother to murder. Another will become the first in her family to attend college. A third played a lead role in helping his mother beat breast and ovarian cancer, all the while maintaining a rigorous academic and athletic schedule.

Every new student will share their thoughts on "The Kite Runner," a New York Times bestseller by Khaled Hosseini that weaves a tale of family, friendship, and class in modern-day Afghanistan.

Discussions in first-year seminars begin during orientation. Students are also invited to submit essays, poems or art reflecting the novel's themes. They will be exhibited Sept. 30-Oct. 2, during Families Weekend October 1st.

About 55 percent of incoming students are female; 14 percent are minority. Forty new students will join the Honors Program this year, setting a new school record. Freshmen have expressed an interest in a wide variety of majors, including: English, Biology, Business Administration, History, Literature, Mathematics, Physics, Political Science, Pre-Med, Psychiatry, Psychology, and Sociology.

Writes one student, "My passion stems from the creative nature of life."

The class of 2009 will be the first to enjoy the College's newest addition: a $9-million academic building that will house Education, Psychology, Student Academic Services, and Graduate and Professional Studies. The grand opening is October 1.

Close to one-third of the incoming class are athletes. New students say while at the College they'll play baseball, basketball, field hockey, football, soccer, swimming, track, volleyball, and wrestling. Coaches won't let them neglect their studies: the Green Terror women's basketball team has the highest GPA in NCAA Division III in the country at 3.56.

Off the field, many new students are involved in clubs and activities, including dance, debate, music, photography, and theatre. They'll have many options to choose from, as McDaniel has well over 100 clubs, organizations, and special interest groups. One new student already came up with a new one, a "Laughing" club.

He writes " … basically it is a group of people who get together and laugh to release stress and just feel comfortable around each other."

According to the College Activities office, if you can find seven members and an adviser, you can start it.

Cars headed for Whiteford line up early in the morning.

Upperclass students descend on the cars outside Rouzer and unload them in seconds.

Jason Fratto '07 loads-up with boxes and suitcases for a resident of Daniel MacLea Hall.

Keep up the pace.

Kyle Fredrikis carries precious cargo for his older sister, new student Tara.

Senior peer mentor Warren Sims makes the heavy lifting look easy outside Whiteford.

Alumni welcome Jenna Swanson '09 with a big coffee mug.

"You want our picture because we've got the most stuff," says freshman Jennifer Minor in the car line and then inside her Whiteford dorm room (below).

Don't worry, I'll get it all in here.

New roommates Lauren Hild and Mischa Krause share a smile.

Kayon Williams and Kadijat Oladiran go way back. The freshmen roommates were friends at Wheaton High School.

A quick change for senior Warren Sims. After helping students move in, he dons a hamburger hat to meet freshmen in his peer mentor group.

College President Joan Develin Coley rings the Old Main bell.

The Class of '09 ring themselves into the McDaniel community.

Contact Michele Cohen Leiberman, associate director of media relations, at 410-857-2294 or mleiberman@mcdaniel.edu.