<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><item href="/pre-go-live-resources/_migration/2026-07-21/magazine/fall-2019/incoming-class-makes-westmont-history.html" dsn="news"><pubDate/><title>Incoming Class Makes Westmont History</title><excerpt>All 450 new students arrived for Orientation on August 22, getting to know each other before starting classes August 26. More than 39 percent of the first- year and transfer students identify as Hispanic, Asian American, Pacific Islander, Native American, and/or multiracial. Twenty percent are the first in their family to attend college. Twenty-two international, missionary or third-culture students come from El Salvador, Spain, Swazi- land, the United Kingdom, Japan, Rwanda and France. “Graduates today need to gain a global perspective and inter- national exposure to respond to the growing demands of our interconnected workplaces,” says Irene Neller, vice president for enrollment, marketing and communications. “The incoming students reflect our commitment to shape effective and compassionate global citizens who lead lives of significance.”</excerpt><author/><image>
            
            <img src="/_migrated-binaries/sites/default/files/styles/16_9_900w/public/OR19_476.jpg" alt="Orientation First Walk"/>
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