Bethany and Westminster Colleges welcome new academic classes

Bethany College and Westminster College have announced the arrival of their incoming classes for the 2026-27 academic year.

At Bethany College, the Class of 2030 participated in a traditional matriculation ceremony. The event included a walk through the Oglebay Gates and the signing of the Matriculation Book, a practice dating back to the 1800s. President Dr. Jamie Caridi noted that the ceremony symbolizes the students' formal entrance into the academic community and their commitment to scholarship and integrity.

Westminster College is welcoming its largest incoming class in nearly a decade, consisting of 369 first-year students and 24 transfer students. The class size has grown by 9.5% compared to last year and 34% over the past two years. According to Lana Whitehead, vice president for enrollment management, the class also shows increased academic strength, with 34% of students entering with a 4.0 GPA or higher. The incoming cohort represents 25 states, with nearly 70% originating from Pennsylvania.