PARSIPPANY-TROY HILLS — The quiet and serene campus turned quickly to excitement during Move-in Day at Lebanon Valley College. Happy greetings among roommates and staff assisting new families blended with the sounds of coaching whistles on the fields and music rising from the Pride of The Valley Marching Band on the quad.

Brianne Partington, of Mount Tabor, is part of a record 513 first year and transfer students who arrived on campus, and the 466 students in the Class of 2021 make it one of the largest first-year classes in the College’s history. This year’s new students also included 47 transfer students.

Partington, a graduate of Parsippany Hills High School, is pursuing a degree in music business at The Valley.

“The Class of 2021 found LVC to be a great fit due to their many interests inside and outside the classroom and the knowledge that our faculty, staff, and current students will help them achieve their goals,” said Edwin Wright, vice president of enrollment management.

Frank Newman ’21, from Annapolis, Md., described what brought him to LVC. “As a chemistry major, I find the LVC Chemistry Department very impressive,” said Newman. “The staff and students are helpful and personable. I find them easy to get along with. The first day of orientation made me realize that in addition to getting a great education, students can still enjoy a high quality of life. You can play sports, spend time on your hobbies, and make friends.”

Along with moving into their residence halls, new student orientation also featured the traditional Water Ceremony. Students bring a bottle of water from home and then add it to one of four urns for different geographic areas. Then the water from the urns is added to the pond in the campus Peace Garden to signify the uniting of all students as one class.

A flag raising ceremony welcomed our new international students who hail from nine countries, including China, Japan, South Korea, Northern Ireland, France, Thailand, the Netherlands, Zimbabwe, and Vietnam. They raised their country’s flag, which will fly along campus’ main thoroughfare throughout their years at The Valley.

Move-in day concluded with Opening Convocation in Sorrentino Gymnasium, the same spot the students will be in four years when they celebrate Commencement. LVC President Dr. Lewis Thayne and others welcomed the incoming class and their families, and Student Government president Theresa Messenger ’18 dispensed some advice based on her own experience.

“Today is a day that you’ll want to cherish,” Messenger said. “When I say you should cherish this day and the ones to follow, I mean that some of the most incredible things will happen to you and you won’t realize it until years down the road. You are about to embark on the most transformative journey of your life.”

As they settle into life at The Valley, 40 percent of first-year students will compete on one or more of the College’s 25 NCAA Division III Flying Dutchmen athletic teams. With more than 90 student activities and organizations, students have a variety of options to highlight their talents, such as the Pride of The Valley Marching Band, Wig & Buckle theater productions, Student Government, or running the College’s VALE music label.

In his Convocation remarks, President Thayne told students a bright future awaits them and the College is committed to their success. “To each and every one of you, you earned your place in this class,” he said. “We see your talents, your interests, and your potential. We know that every one of you has something valuable to contribute to the LVC community and, after graduation, to the world Everyone here-trustees, faculty, staff, upper class students, and alumni-we are all here to help you succeed in whatever way we can.”

Class of 2021 Profile

53% women, 47% men

15% identify as African/African American, Latina, Asian, and Native American

16 states and Washington, D.C.

9 valedictorians/salutatorians

Popular programs: physical therapy, actuarial science, biology, business, and early childhood education

3.65 average high school grade-point average

PARSIPPANY-TROY HILLS — Fairleigh Dickinson University students who have been inducted into FDU’s Phi Zeta Kappa and Phi Omega Epsilon honor societies for the Spring 2017 semester.

Brianna Leuzzi of Lake Hiawatha, a 2014 graduate of Parsippany High School, has been inducted into FDU’s Phi Omega Epsilon honor society. Eligibility for membership in the University’s senior honor society is established by completing at least 90 earned credits toward an undergraduate degree with a CGPR of 3.50. Of these 90 credits, the last 58 must have been taken at the University, and a CGPR of 3.20 must have been maintained for all of them. All the preceding requirements must have been fulfilled prior to the accumulation of 112 credits. Transfer students who are unable to fulfill the prerequisite 58-credit requirement will be able to establish eligibility if they have taken at least 32 credits prior to the accumulation of 112 credits and if they have maintained a CGPR of 3.50 during their entire career at Fairleigh Dickinson.

Nizam Songun of Parsippany, a 2014 graduate of Parsippany Hills High School, has been inducted into FDU’s Phi Omega Epsilon honor society. Eligibility for membership in the University’s senior honor society is established by completing at least 90 earned credits toward an undergraduate degree with a CGPR of 3.50. Of these 90 credits, the last 58 must have been taken at the University, and a CGPR of 3.20 must have been maintained for all of them. All the preceding requirements must have been fulfilled prior to the accumulation of 112 credits. Transfer students who are unable to fulfill the prerequisite 58-credit requirement will be able to establish eligibility if they have taken at least 32 credits prior to the accumulation of 112 credits and if they have maintained a CGPR of 3.50 during their entire career at Fairleigh Dickinson.

Alexandra Cancino of Lake Hiawatha, a 2015 graduate of Parsippany High School, has been inducted into FDU’s Phi Zeta Kappa honor society. Eligibility for membership in the University’s junior honor society is established by completing at least the first 60 credits toward an undergraduate degree. Of these, 44 must have been earned at Fairleigh Dickinson and a CGPR of 3.20 must have been maintained for all of them. All the preceding requirements must have been fulfilled prior to the accumulation of 80 credits toward the undergraduate degree.

Mitchell Folan of Parsippany a 2015 graduate of Parsippany Hills High School, has been inducted into FDU’s Phi Zeta Kappa honor society. Eligibility for membership in the University’s junior honor society is established by completing at least the first 60 credits toward an undergraduate degree. Of these, 44 must have been earned at Fairleigh Dickinson and a CGPR of 3.20 must have been maintained for all of them. All the preceding requirements must have been fulfilled prior to the accumulation of 80 credits toward the undergraduate degree.

Jinchin Yuan of Parsippany, a 2015 graduate of Parsippany High School, has been inducted into FDU’s Phi Zeta Kappa honor society. Eligibility for membership in the University’s junior honor society is established by completing at least the first 60 credits toward an undergraduate degree. Of these, 44 must have been earned at Fairleigh Dickinson and a CGPR of 3.20 must have been maintained for all of them. All the preceding requirements must have been fulfilled prior to the accumulation of 80 credits toward the undergraduate degree.

Devoted to the preparation of world citizens through global education, Fairleigh Dickinson University is New Jersey’s largest private university and features more than 100 liberal arts and professional degree programs, two international campuses, dozens of partnerships with internationally renowned institutions and special programs and status within the United Nations. For more information, click here.