Sherman, Texas -- The Austin College Class of 2030 and new students transferring from other institutions settled into their residence halls and a new stage of their lives over the weekend of August 22, in anticipation of the 2026-27 academic year. Classes began on Tuesday, August 25. 

The College welcomed 391 new undergraduates, including 361 first-years and 30 transfer students. This year’s incoming cohort impacted their high school alma maters by founding clubs (including service organizations, engineering clubs, and language honor societies), captaining their athletic teams, leading through student government and student council, and performing more than 300 hours of community service.  

Of the incoming students, 39% are the first in their family to attend college, 40% will be participating in athletics, and many already have one-of-a-kind experiences they will bring to classroom discussions, student involvement, and all the ice breakers awaiting them in their first week—such as studying abroad from Botswana and Spain to Costa Rica and Japan, serving on a national Congressional Youth Advisory Council, and publishing and presenting research about space exploration, antibiotics resistance, and human memory.  

In addition to its newest undergraduate cohort, Austin College also welcomed 34 graduate students who started in the College’s Master of Medical Science – Physician Assistant program earlier this summer during its Opening Convocation ceremony held Monday, August 24.  

The newest ’Roos on campus are ready to make the most of their time at Austin College, becoming experts in their respective fields of study while also connecting with their peers, faculty, and the local community. 

Austin College, a private national liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas, has earned a reputation for excellence in academic preparation, pre-professional foundations, committed faculty, and hands-on, adventurous learning opportunities. One of 44 schools profiled in Loren Pope’s influential book Colleges That Change Lives, Austin College boasts a welcoming community that embraces diversity and individuality, with more than 50 percent of students identifying as persons of color. The residential student body of approximately 1,300 students and an expert faculty of more than 100 educators allow an 11:1 student-faculty ratio and personalized attention. Related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA), Austin College cultivates an inclusive atmosphere that supports students’ faith journeys regardless of religious tradition. The College, founded in 1849, is the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original name and charter.