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Lined up under a cerulean sky, members of the ¶¥¼¶¹ú²úÊÓƵ & Marshall College Class of 2026 began their F&M journeys by walking into Convocation Aug. 30.

The time-honored event signifies not only the start of those journeys, but also the beginning of the College's academic year. .

Faculty and professional staff gathered outside the Alumni Sports & Fitness Center to applaud the 495 first-year and transfer students proceeding toward the ceremony.

"Stretch in every possible way— right now, in your first days and weeks here, and then throughout your career at F&M," President Barbara Altmann said to the incoming class.

"You can stretch intellectually, socially, physically, to reach far beyond what you already know, and it will make you a wiser, better, more effective citizen of the world," she added.

Senior Kyra Caffrey, president of Diplomatic Congress and the student body, shared a similar sentiment.

"Three years ago, I was sitting in your seat. I had my whole life planned out," she said.

Exploring various academic disciplines "provided me with the opportunity to engage in new ways of thinking," said Caffrey, who added government to her existing biology major after a chance encounter with the subject.

Caffrey shared the stage with , who urged students to embrace the unknown in their time at F&M.

"In discomfort, there is a spark," Morford said.

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Class of 2026 at a Glance:

• 495 enrolled
• 34% admit rate
• 30 states represented
• 34 countries of citizenship
• 17% first-generation college students
• 11% PELL grant eligible