Words of wisdom and encouragement to get involved greeted the audience of new Bobcats who packed the recreation center during the Class of 2027 Welcome.

“We are so happy to welcome you as the newest members of the Quinnipiac family. Welcome to your home away from home,” said President Judy Olian during her welcoming remarks. “A lot of your learning is going to come from each other. Everyone’s lived experiences are different. Everyone has a different expertise. You will learn from each other, but you will also learn from our amazing faculty and staff who are here for one reason, and that is to help support you in your learning. We are all here to help you thrive.”

During her address, which included an impromptu poll on what attracted the newest Bobcats to Quinnipiac, Olian encouraged the students to take advantage of all Quinnipiac has to offer during their college journey.

“Don't forget you are part of a major university. So, get involved. Be active in everything that's going on in the community,” said Olian. “The fact is, you just joined a university where the possibilities are endless. We’re here to help you learn, discover, and help you live out your ambition. I think this will change you forever, not just because of what you’ll learn about your chosen field, but because of what you’re going to learn about yourself…You couldn't be in a better place to have your college journey.”

Special guest speaker and 2003 alumnus Austin Ashe echoed Olian’s remarks and welcomed the students on behalf of Quinnipiac’s more than 67,000 alumni. Ashe is the senior associate director of belonging and culture with MIT Sloan School of Management.

“On behalf of the alums at Quinnipiac, it is my pleasure to welcome you home,” said Ashe before sharing his story about finding Quinnipiac as a student, calling it a place where he could thrive and grow.

According to Ashe, “All roads lead to Quinnipiac” when he reflects on the success of his career and fulfillment in his personal life. He implored each student to do three things as a member of the Bobcat community: Get involved, say hello and offer help.

“Quinnipiac is a special place to me. But my story is just one story,” said Ashe. “As I look out into this crowd, I see an incredible amount of people that have extraordinary promise, who are not only going to change the face of this university but this state, this country and the rest of the world. You belong here. You earned your way here. But the work doesn't stop here. You are all tethered and connected in a way that will determine each other's success. Congratulations on getting here. Best of luck. You’re in an amazing place!”

Student Government Association President Jake Cedor ’25 concluded the program by officially welcoming the students on behalf of SGA. He reminded the audience that it’s never too soon to begin to consider their own impact on Quinnipiac.

“Teddy Roosevelt once said that never throughout history has a man who lived a life of ease left a name worth remembering,” asked Cedor, an 3+1 accelerated international business major and economics minor. “What does that mean for you all here today as we welcome you to our university? It means when you come back here one day and you're showing your friends and family around, what will you point to that marks the change that you made here? Now let me ask you a question: It's a question that I hope will help guide you throughout your life, ‘What will be your legacy?’”

As he spoke about finding his own home at Quinnipiac, Cedor highlighted the legacy SGA will leave for the next generation of students, including an increase in student organization funding, a new campus Starbucks, On the Rocks Pub & Grill, free laundry and the 1929 scholarship fund.

“Your first step to creating a legacy is finding your home away from home here at Quinnipiac, whether that’s through one of our multicultural organizations, arts groups, participating in our fraternities and sororities or starting an intramural sports team with your friends,” said Cedor, before concluding the ceremony with one final piece of advice. “I think being a member of the Quinnipiac community means more than being enrolled here. Don’t waste the limited time you have. Because one day, you’ll look back and wish you had more time. I can’t wait to see what each of you will do with your time here. Best of luck Class of 2027.”

Quinnipiac’s Class of 2027 is one of the university’s largest and most accomplished following an active admission cycle that saw a 32% increase in campus visits over the previous year.

The campus community welcomed more than 1,800 first-year students and 240 transfer students from 31 states and 19 countries.

This year’s class has a strong academic profile with an average GPA of 3.6 and an average SAT score of 1200.

It is also the most diverse in university history, with 23.5% identifying as students of color, and about 2% international. Approximately 95% of the entering class will live in a residence hall on the Mount Carmel Campus.

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