Westminster College to welcome Class of 2027

Westminster College will welcome the Class of 2027 at its annual Opening Convocation at 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 24, in the Will W. Orr Auditorium on the Westminster campus.

This year, more than 300 new students—325 first-years and 12 students transferring from other schools—are expected to make their transition to Westminster College. Among the members of the Class of 2027—who hail from 18 states—biology, business administration, pre-nursing, education and sports management represent the most popular majors.

Student orientation leaders—as well as Residence Life staff, football players and other student, faculty, staff and alumni volunteers—will greet new students at 8 a.m. Thursday and help them check in and move their belongings into residence halls.

The Opening Convocation ceremony will feature greetings from Westminster College President Dr. Kathy Brittain Richardson, Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of the College Dr. Jamie McMinn and Student Government Association President Lane Voytik ’24. Voytik is a senior biology major from Sharon, Pa.

Brian Petrus ’10, associate professor of business administration and human resource management, will provide the keynote address. The Rev. James Mohr II, college chaplain, will offer the invocation and benediction. Music will be provided by the Westminster College Student Brass Ensemble under the direction of Dr. Timothy Winfield, associate professor of music. College organist Paula Kubik will provide the prelude, processional and recessional music. The Alma Mater will be led sophomore student vocalists Alexandra Webster ’26, a music education major from Oil City, Pa., Marley Chapman ’26, an education major from Greenville, Pa., and Elena Macdonald ’26, a music performance major from Red Bank, N.J.

Following the convocation and student-parent farewells, the members of the Class of 2027 will take part in a weekend of orientation programming that includes workshops, community building exercises and Titan spirit activities. Students also will attend their first class during orientation weekend as an academic springboard for their first week of college classes. Westminster 101 will lay the foundation for a learning community that will support the students through their college transition.

Fall classes for all Westminster students begin on Monday, Aug. 28.

To view this year’s orientation schedule, click here. For additional information, please contact Candace Okello, associate dean of student affairs, at 724-946-7110 or okelloca@westminster.edu.

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