When Morgan Murphy started considering colleges, the University of Richmond wasn’t originally on her radar. That changed with a visit to campus.

“During my tour, my guide did a great job telling me about the pre-med program and the excellent opportunities that come with it,” said Murphy, who is from Bluefield, Virginia. “This included shadowing, volunteering, EMT training, and study abroad, as well as small class sizes. I really liked the campus, and the area UR is in, so that completely sold me.”

Murphy, a soccer player who plans to major in biochemistry & molecular biology and pursue a pre-med program, is a member of the class of 2027.

Murphy joins about 840 first-year students who stand out in many ways. One started a nonprofit that raised more than $20,000 and provided 2,000 backpacks filled with school supplies for students in Texas and Zambia. One was among the first female members of the Boy Scouts of America. One held a Guinness Book of World Records title for world's largest slime.

Get to know the Class of 2027 through their stories — along with illustrated highlights of invidual accomplishments and interests.

The Class of 2027 includes:

• 15% first-generation students.
• 27% students of color.
• And 11% international students from 35 countries, including Brazil, Canada, India, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

“Our incoming class is comprised of students who have achieved both academically and personally,” said Stephanie Dupaul, vice president for enrollment management. “In addition to their academic excellence, they have interesting hobbies and extracurricular activities that bring diverse perspectives and a lot of energy to our campus. These new Spiders, who are archers, artists, chefs, entrepreneurs, figure skaters, fencers, musicians, and much more, will use their experiences to enhance their academic careers.”

Many incoming students have already completed advanced research. One spent more than two years researching C. difficile germ infections and helped develop a wipe that makes their spores visible under ultraviolet light. Others researched prison systems and solitary confinement, the impacts of the Holocaust on the mental health of the children and grandchildren of survivors, and the effect of a lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet on dance injuries.

Among the class is Ebony Jordan, an aspiring political science major from Richmond. Jordan will participate in the Spider FLI peer mentor program, which is organized through the Student Center for Equity and Inclusion and designed for first-generation as well as limited-income students.

“I am most excited about the opportunities and experience during my first year of college, and I picked University of Richmond because of how close the campus is to home, the opportunities offered to students, and the generous financial aid,” Jordan said.

Abby Ioannou, a dancer, crocheter, and photographer from Garnet Valley, Pennsylvania, is one of several hundred incoming students to take part in The Richmond Endeavor, a first-year living-learning program. She chose Richmond after touring the campus twice.

“During both visits, I loved how kind everyone was, from staff to students to people passing by. Everyone was incredibly welcoming and super helpful when it came to exploring and learning more about the campus,” Ioannou said. “Richmond has so many different opportunities from classes to extracurriculars.”

Andrew Borchert, from Chesterfield, is hoping to double major in business and leadership studies. The volleyball and lacrosse athlete plans to play club soccer at UR.

“UR has always been my number one school because it had the best mix of academic, athletic, and social aspects of any other college I applied to,” said Borchert. “Also, a big factor is the small class sizes, so I can really have a good relationship with professors.”

Students are moving in this week, and classes begin Aug. 28.