Meet 2021

Although campus was buzzing with summer activities after Commencement, there’s nothing quite like having Skidmore’s Thoroughbreds back on campus to kick off another academic year. Resident assistants and admissions ambassadors returned to campus in anticipation of the exciting move-in event for students, including 665 from the class of 2021.

Fall athletes arrived on campus at the end of August, eager to begin pre-season training. This fall, 34 student athletes from the class of 2021 will join men’s and women’s soccer, field hockey, women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s tennis, and men’s golf. “After almost two weeks of pre-season training, things are starting to come together for our young team” says women’s soccer Head Coach Lacey Largeteau. “They are focused and working hard at each session. We look forward to opening our season with two home games before classes begin.”

Twenty five members of the class of 2021 embarked on the First-Year Experience in London program on August 23. They will spend the semester studying with Professor Holley Hodgins and Associate Professor Beck Krefting and will also learn through unique cultural activities in London.

"My challenge to you is to apply the phrase 'make no small plans' to yourself. Begin now to make no small plans for your life – to create your own personal dream, one that will take you to a place that you scarcely can imagine at this point." - President Philip A. Glotzbach

The class of 2021 supplied the largest applicant pool in Skidmore history, with 10,052 applications and a 25% acceptance rate. Nearly half (49%) of the class applied and were accepted as Early Decision, showcasing the pride and excitement the class of 2021 has as they arrive to campus.  “As we came to know you throughout the admissions process, we were struck by the extraordinary number of you who have made a considerable commitment to volunteerism and community service during high school here in the U.S. and all over the world,” said Vice President and Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid Mary Lou Bates at the annual Convocation ceremony on September 3.

"My challenge to you is to apply the phrase 'make no small plans' to yourself," advised President Philip A. Glotzbach at the cermony to the incoming class. "Begin now to make no small plans for your life – to create your own personal dream, one that will take you to a place that you scarcely can imagine at this point."

Aside from being a record-breaking class, the newest Thoroughbreds bring a unique set of experiences and talents to the Skidmore community. Twenty three percent of the incoming students speak a language other than English, including Bengali, Fulah, German, Hebrew, Spanish, Turkish and Wolof, to name a few.

Members of the class of 2021 care about the community—volunteering with the homeless and autistic children, and traveling the world to teach English in China or assist with earthquake relief work in Nepal.

They are creative—teaching dance in schools on the Navaho Nation, and working as a commissioned artist and stand-up comic.

They are leaders—founding clubs in their high schools including a computer coding club, birding club, and a social issues discussion club.

They are adventurous—working, learning, and discovering in all of the countries in North America, Eastern and Western Europe, plus 52 other countries.

They are talented—playing a range of instruments in Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the Rose Bowl Parade.

They are athletic—winning scores of athletic awards, participating in marathons and triathlons, training with the French Olympic skating team, and hiking 85 miles through the Rocky Mountains.

They are curious—working and researching at the NASA Ocean Ecology Lab, State Police Academy, and in churches and synagogues.

“The list goes on and on,” Bates says. As the class of 2021 arrived on campus, they were greeted by the Residential Life staff and introduced to their roommate. "Move in was really good!" Margot Hahn '21 from Chicago exclaims before she set off on Skidmore College's Outdoor Orientation Program (SCOOP). "I met my roommate, she's doing another SCOOP program. We went to the dining hall together and it was really nice."  

After spending the morning of September 3 unpacking and settling into their new homes with their families, new students had the opportunity to attend the annual convocation ceremony, officially welcoming them to the College. 

Classes begin on September 6, marking the beginning of what is sure to be an adventurous and creative semester for the class of 2021 and the rest of the Skidmore community. Follow along and send well wishes to the class using #Skidmore2021 on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.