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On Sept. 2, the Â鶹Çø buzzed with excitement as nearly 1,180 first-year students and their families arrived on campus. Cars and carts brimmed with pillows, skis, lamps, and other essentials from home, while Chancellor Jeremy Haefner and a team of volunteers pitched in to welcome students taking their first steps into college life.

This year’s class represents a remarkable range of backgrounds, representing 47 states and 28 countries in all. They hail from 791 high schools, with two-thirds coming from outside Colorado and 59% moving more than 500 miles from home.Ìý

While a third of students (33%) are from Colorado, DU also welcomed 18% from the West, 15% from the Midwest, 14% from the Northeast, 10% from the Southwest, 6% from the Southeast, and 4% from abroad.

Academically, the Class of 2029 continues DU’s tradition of excellence. More than a third earned a 4.0 GPA or higher, and nearly half brought in college credit. These outstanding students also reflect DU’s growing diversity, with 35% identifying as students of color and 21% as first-generation college students. Alongside them are approximately 160 new transfer students joining across all undergraduate years.

And here’s a fun fact: 15 students are named William, followed by the other popular names Jack, Olivia, Alexander, Benjamin, Luke, Chloe, James, and Zoe. Nearly half of the class, however, have names unique to them.

The excitement isn’t limited to undergraduates. Three weeks ago, the Sturm College of Law welcomed 287 first-year students, representing 37 states and 140 undergraduate institutions. This new class set a record with the highest percentage of female students (63%) in program history, along with 27% who identify as students of color.

Together, these newest members of the DU community—undergraduates and law students alike—bring fresh energy, ambition, and perspectives to DU. Welcome, Class of 2029!
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