Dear Members of the Monmouth University Community:
As we gather for a new academic year, I wish to extend a warm welcome to all of you—both familiar faces and new members of our extraordinary community.
With our student move-ins complete and classes now officially underway, I am delighted to welcome in a special way all of our incoming students. The 975 first-year members comprising the Class of 2027 represent the finest class in our University’s 90-year history. This newest cohort of first-year students is arriving with the highest grade point average in our institution’s history; an academic profile that is also reflected in the largest number of students matriculating into the Honors School. This, on top of last year’s best-ever class, is a strong mark of our growing reputation for academic quality and distinction.
The Class of 2027 also includes our highest percentage of out-of-state students yet, expanding Monmouth’s reach and global impact. And, our commitment to fostering an inclusive atmosphere has resulted in an increase in student diversity, enhancing the rich tapestry of cultures and perspectives that make up our University.
As we advance on our ambition for Monmouth to become both more excellent and more accessible, it is gratifying that external rankings continue to recognize these and other strengths of our community. For the 19th straight year, The Princeton Review has named Monmouth one of the nation’s “Best 389 Colleges,” representing the top 15% of four-year colleges nationwide. And, in the most recent rankings released by Washington Monthly, Monmouth climbed an impressive 19 spots on the index for social mobility of graduates.
As we embark on a new year at Monmouth, let us remember that we are all part of a community dedicated to ensuring that every individual member is valued and respected. We all belong to a community that thrives on our collective efforts as well as our individual achievements. Our distinguished faculty bring their expertise to the forefront of learning, our dedicated staff serve our students and ensure the smooth functioning of our operations, and our talented students—undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral—drive the spirit of growth, discovery, connection, and service that has defined our mission since its founding 90 years ago.
Whether you are returning to Monmouth or joining us for your first year, we are so pleased to have you as part our Hawk family. Here’s to a successful and rewarding academic year!
Sincerely,
Dr. Patrick F. Leahy
President