September 23, 2009
The turning leaves around campus do more than contribute to the natural beauty of Ramapo College; they also mark the beginning of the fall semester and the arrival of another cohort of Ramapo students. In this our 40th year, we welcomed the largest freshman class in our history to campus and, in keeping with College tradition, I greeted each of them as they passed through our iconic Arch following First Year Student Assembly.
The 939 members of the class of 2013 hail from every county in New Jersey as well as from Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Virginia, Arizona and six foreign countries. They were chosen from more than 5,112 applicants and comprise the top 23% of their high school senior class with a mean combined (Verbal and Mathematical) SAT score of 1,156.
A Ramapo education is in great demand, throughout New Jersey and beyond - a testament to the four decades of educational excellence fostered at Ramapo by scores of dedicated professors, administrators and support staff. This year’s increase of 20 points in the mean SAT scores of our applicants is a solid indicator that we are recognized as valuing academic excellence and that there is real perceived value not only in a public Liberal Arts Education, but specifically in a Ramapo College education. Our steady climb in the U.S. News and World Report rankings continues as we advanced two positions in the 2010 edition.
I look forward to sharing another wonderful year with all of you.
Peter P. Mercer Ph.D
President
President's September 23, 2009 State of the College Address
