ALBANY, N.Y. (August 24, 2007) -- Officer in Charge and Provost Susan Herbst was joined by Albany Mayor Gerald D. Jennings ('76) and Turf Hotels Vice President Brian Straughter to greet and help the Class of 2011 move into the residence halls. Straughter presented UAlbany with a check for $10,000 that will support the University's Honors College and Educational Opportunity Program. Nearly a dozen staff from Hilton Homewood Suites and Holiday Inn Express also extended their hospitality and support by helping new students move-in.
"There is a wonderful energy and excitement on our campus at the start of a new academic year," said Officer in Charge and Provost Susan Herbst. "This year's record number of applications and the academic strength of our freshmen class signals the start of a great beginning to the school year."
"On behalf of the City and as an alumnus of the University at Albany, I want to welcome the freshman class of 2011 to the University and to our great Capital City," said Albany Mayor Gerald D. Jennings. "This is a class of high-achieving students, selected from the top tiers of the largest applicant pool in the University at Albany's history, and I wish them well as they begin what I'm sure will be a very rewarding experience."
"We're thrilled to be able to continue our partnership with the University and help advance important programs and initiatives to ensure student success," said Michael Hoffman, president/owner of Turf Hotels.
"I like to see the arriving students excited about this University. They really want to be here and create something for their future and they know they can do that at UAlbany," said junior Paul Porter III, a State Quad resident assistant.
The University at Albany received a record number of applications this year with 20,249, an 8.3 percent increase over last year's mark of 18,690 and a three-year increase of 21 percent. The acceptance rate fell more than four percent to 51.5 percent compared to 55.8 percent in 2006, and is down 11 percent since 2005. As a result, the class has a higher mean GPA of 89.6 and a higher mean SAT/ACT score of 1148.
The Class of 2011 will boast nearly 200 Presidential Scholars, who are recognized for their exceptional academic performance in high school, representing a 25.6 percent increase over last year and almost doubling the total number enrolling in 2005. Students of color will make up 23.6 percent of the freshmen class: 8.8 percent African American; eight percent Latino/Hispanic American; 6.6 percent Asian American.
