The newest Spiders — the Class of 2025 — carry with them an impressive list of accomplishments and real-world experience. Their ranks include a youth champion of Go, likely the oldest board game in existence, a sailor who competes in overnight sailing regattas, and a junior firefighter. One has already published five research articles and participated in 16 science fairs. And another helped raise $150,000 for children living with chronic pain.

The fall semester kicked off Aug. 23 with more than 800 first-year students arriving to campus for in-person classes. The Class of 2025 has the highest incoming grade point average with an average of 3.71 and is one of the most diverse classes in UR history with 29% U.S. students of color. International students comprise 11% of the class, and 14% are first-generation students.

Outside of class, 238 were athletic team captains, 556 earned varsity letters, 23 achieved the rank of Eagle Scout or the Girl Scout Gold Award, 31 were yearbook or student newspaper editors, 95 worked at least 15 hours a week during the academic year, and 41 were president of their class or student government.

“Our new Spiders are scholars in all disciplines, athletes, musicians, artists, actors, dancers, volunteers, interns, entrepreneurs, and researchers,” said Stephanie Dupaul, vice president for Enrollment Management. “They are multilingual, multitalented, and future facing. They care about the future of the world at the community level and the global level, and they act for change.” 

Note: The numbers above are current as of Aug. 1, 2021. Enrollment data is not final until the University’s census date, which is Oct. 1.