Troy, N.Y. — The approximately 1,290 members of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s incoming Class of 2010 are arriving on campus this week. More than 60 percent of the students come from the top 10 percent of their high school classes, and 110 members were high school valedictorians or salutatorians. The class includes 291 Rensselaer Medal winners.

“Rensselaer’s outstanding faculty, expanding facilities, and model programs are attracting extraordinary students, and this is reflected in our Class of 2010 which is, indeed, top tier,” said Rensselaer President Shirley Ann Jackson. 

The first-year students — from 38 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and  other countries — are moving into residence halls and beginning a weeklong program of welcoming events and team-building adventures, known as “Navigating Rensselaer and Beyond.” The events are designed to help ease the transition to college life by connecting new students to each other and to resources available on campus and in the local community.

“Members of the Class of 2010 clearly see what Rensselaer is doing to provide a stellar education for our students seeking an opportunity to learn and to grow into world leaders in their chosen fields,” said James G. Nondorf, vice president for enrollment. “Our freshman class adds to the rich tapestry that has been a hallmark of Rensselaer’s 182-year history. The Rensselaer community embraces the talents, achievements, curiosity, and imagination of our first-year students, and all of us benefit from the energy that they bring to the Rensselaer campus.”   

The Class of 2010 includes approximately 148 students who were captains of their athletic teams, 636 students who participated in sporting activities, 67 Eagle Scouts, and 107 legacies (students who are related to Rensselaer alumni). The class also includes a nationally ranked fencer, a rodeo competitor, a musician who has performed at Carnegie Hall, and one of the top Paralympics swimmers in the world.

Contact: Jessica Otitigbe
Phone: (518) 276-6050
E-mail: otitij@rpi.edu