Clark welcomes the Class of 2029
Clark’s Class of 2029 includes students who shine — on stage, on the court, and at the keyboard.
Among 482 incoming students — 438 first-year students and 44 transfer students — are athletes, creatives, and strategic thinkers. There’s a professional tennis player, an aerial dancer, a voice actor, a blacksmith, and a published poet. One student represented the United States at the International Geography Championship while another performed with the New Hampshire Philharmonic Orchestra. If you play a lot of video games, you might come across artwork made by a new Clarkie.
President David Fithian ’87 greeted the newest Clarkies during a welcome event on Thursday afternoon in the Kneller Center and remarked that each new academic year brings fresh perspectives and energy to campus.
“Push yourself to connect, to explore, to be curious,” he urged. “You’ll meet people from different backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives. You’ll hear ideas that challenge your own. That’s not just the beauty of this place — it’s also the design. We believe the most powerful learning happens in environments in which you engage with others whose path here may be different from yours.”
The incoming students represent 25 countries and 34 states plus Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. In total, 20.7% of the new Clarkies are first-generation college students, which the University defines as students whose parents or guardians did not complete a bachelor’s degree.
Fithian assured incoming students that there’s no perfect formula for success.
“Uncertainty is normal, and learning to navigate it is a skill to be developed,” he said. “Don’t let the fear of a wrong choice keep you from choosing.”
John Magee, provost and vice president of academic affairs, told the first-year students that college is about more than just turning in a perfect quiz or essay.
“We want our students to be excellent problem solvers,” he said. “That means practicing taking on new and more challenging problems over and over again so that when you are faced with new problems in the future, it’s not something to panic about. It’s something that you’re prepared for.”
Danielle Morgan Acosta ’05, MAT ’06, assistant provost of student success and dean of students, told the newest Clarkies that their next four years hold much potential.
“Orientation is just the beginning of this incredible transition of what you’ll learn, how you’ll grow, and who you’ll become,” she said. “Everyone here at Clark is here to support you along your journey and help you be successful in and out of the classroom to prepare you to truly change the world for the better.”
Morgan Acosta introduced a welcome video recorded by Kelechi Akabuogu ’26, president of the Undergraduate Student Council, adding that Akabuogu was finishing up her summer internship at State Street, where she has also been offered a full-time position.
“You’re probably feeling a lot of things right now: excitement, confusion, and probably a bit nervous,” the data science and economics major said. “For some of you, this might be your first time moving away from home. You’re adjusting to a new city, new people, new routines, and new expectations.”
Akabuogu said that if she could send a message back in time to herself as a first-year student, it would be that it’s OK to not have all the answers.
“You don’t have to have your college experience figured out within a week, a semester, or even a year,” Akabuogu said. “College is not about having everything mapped out from day one. It’s about learning, exploring, and discovering yourself along the way.”
