With 211 students arriving through the gates at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, the Class of 2025 started their lives as Pomeroys as a record-breaking incoming class.
Back to the full tradition of cheering on incoming students and families, The Avenue was lined with more extravagance than previous years. Last year, the number of faculty and staff welcoming newcomers was limited due to COVID.
Per tradition, Dottie L. King, Ph.D., president, was out on The Avenue personally greeting families. To her, it’s what sets The Woods apart from other institutions.
“I’m a president of a school so I feel one way welcoming students, but I’m also a mom so I feel a lot of those emotions when I talk to the parents,” King said. She hopes the families feel reassured their students will be well taken care of as they see the support coming onto campus.
Waving flags, playing music and swishing pompoms in the air were what the new Pomeroys saw as they drove up to Le Fer Hall.
Lillie Gendel has been on campus for a few days, staying in the guest house, but that didn’t stop her from getting the full effect of the day. “We actually drove out and drove down The Avenue so I could have the experience,” she said.
Gendel, who is related to the late Jeanne Knoerle, SP, ’49, comes to The Woods from California. At first, she was looking for schools out west, but she wasn’t feeling them. Instead, she decided to continue the family legacy of Sister Jeanne.
She already had memories of campus, like swimming in the lake when her great aunt Jeanne, 12th president of the College, still lived in the area. “It’s really cool. I remember coming here when she was here,” Gendel said.
For Bryce Brock, a freshman criminology major, The Avenue was a unique sight — something he wasn’t expecting.
“I feel like you don’t see that at many colleges,” he said. “Normally you would just move in and be done.”
His mom, Jennifer Brock, agreed. “It makes you feel more like somebody instead of a number.”
Bryce will be running track and field during his time at The Woods. He said he really likes the facilities, and his schedule allows for him to balance his athletics and academics. 42 percent of the entering class are student-athletes.
He found out about SMWC after attending a track meet at West Vigo and found he really enjoyed what the College had to offer.
Jennifer said it’s an exciting day. “It’s a new steppingstone,” she said. Being in Le Fer brought back memories for her, as her high school proms were held at the College. “He’s far enough away that he can do what he wants, but close enough we can still get to him.”
The incoming class is 81 percent female and 19 percent male. The total campus population is 79 percent female and 21 percent male.
Despite the challenges of recruiting students during a pandemic, the admissions team is proud of the record year. This year’s overall campus students reached 530, which matches the historic high in 1966.
“It’s a lot of hard work from the admissions, financial aid and marketing teams,” said Chris Lozier, executive directors of admissions. “We are very excited to have them on campus.”
Freshmen from 13 states, two U.S. territories and two foreign countries were welcomed. This is one of SMWC’s most geographically diverse entering classes.
Overall, SMWC has just over 1,110 students enrolled beginning in August.
