As the 2022 incoming freshmen class approached the bell tower for the annual tradition during student orientation, fellow students, teachers and family members lined the walkway. Cheers and chants welcomed the students as they started their new semester at Southern Utah University.
Thor the Thunderbird welcomed the incoming class with one of the most memorable experiences. Rain and hail drenched the students as thunder rang throughout campus.
“The Bell Tower Tradition was one of the coolest experiences yet,” said Amanda Brimhall, an incoming freshman. “I will never forget this opportunity and look forward to seeing what else SUU has to offer.”
The incoming class is, in fact, the most academically prepared class to ever come to SUU.
“We could not be more excited about this incoming freshman class,” Brandon Wright, the Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Management, said. “They are incredible, and they are going to be the best we have ever had.”
The incoming grade-point average for the 2022 class is 3.6, which is a 0.03 point increase from the 2018 class. The ACT score also increased by 0.4 points, making the average score 23.8.
A total of 2,125 incoming freshmen surpassed the existing record by 10.97 percent, making it the largest incoming-freshmen class in SUU history.
The student body increased by 14 percent from last year. This increase includes new freshmen, transfer students, concurrent enrollment, continuing education, masters degrees, international students and all other programs.
“We are really proud of our incoming class,” Wright said. “We are excited to see what they are going to accomplish here at SUU. It is proven that they have done well in high school and we think that will transition over to successful students here at SUU.”
Story by: Easton Bowring
news@suunews.net
Photos Courtesy: Christopher Dimond
