September 1, 2026—Hendrix College welcomed 293 new students this
fall as the College begins a milestone academic year celebrating its 150th
anniversary.
The Class of 2030 is also the inaugural class of Via
Hendrix, the College’s new four-year approach connecting a rigorous liberal
arts education with intentional career preparation and real-world experience.
“This is an especially meaningful year to welcome a new
class to Hendrix,” said Hendrix College President Karen Petersen. “As we
celebrate 150 years of educating students for lives of accomplishment,
integrity, service, and joy, we are also looking ahead to what a Hendrix
education must provide for the generations to come. The Class of 2030 will be
the first to experience Via Hendrix, building on the strength of our liberal
arts tradition while creating clearer connections between their education and
the lives and careers they will pursue.”
Students enter Hendrix with an average high school GPA
of 3.74 and an average ACT composite score of 27. The class includes 74
first-generation college students, and 34% of new students who reported
demographic information identify as members of underrepresented groups. Forty
percent are Pell Grant recipients.
More than half of the new students, 54%, are from
Arkansas, while the class represents 21 other states and three other countries:
Canada, Chile, and the United Kingdom. Twenty-two students from Conway chose
Hendrix this fall.
Some traveled considerably farther to become Warriors.
The longest domestic journey to Hendrix was 1,499 miles from Canaan, New
Hampshire, while the longest international journey was 4,921 miles from
Santiago, Chile.
Class of 2030 highlights
- 3.74
average high school GPA
- 27
average ACT composite score
- 74
first-generation college students
- 40%
Pell Grant recipients
- 34% of
underrepresented groups among students reporting demographic information
- 54%
from Arkansas
- 21
other states represented
- Three other
countries represented: Canada, Chile, and United Kingdom
- 22
students from Conway
- Longest
domestic journey: 1,499 miles from Canaan, New Hampshire
- Longest
international journey: 4,921 miles from Santiago, Chile
As the first Via Hendrix class, these students will begin
working from their first year with faculty, career professionals, alumni, and
other mentors to connect their academic interests with possible pathways after
college. Every student will complete a full-time, semester-long co-op as part
of the Hendrix experience, while remaining on track to graduate within four
years.
The Class of 2030 will also experience Hendrix’s sesquicentennial year, with
events and programs throughout the academic year celebrating the College’s
history, community, and future.
About
Hendrix College
Founded in
1876, Hendrix College is featured in Colleges That Change Lives: 45 Schools
That Will Change the Way You Think About Colleges and celebrated among the
country’s leading liberal arts colleges for academic quality, engaged learning
opportunities and career preparation, vibrant campus life, and value. The
Hendrix College Warriors compete in 21 NCAA Division III sports. Hendrix has
been affiliated with the United Methodist Church since 1884. Learn more at www.hendrix.edu.
“… Through
engagement that links the classroom with the world, and a commitment to
diversity, inclusion, justice, and sustainable living, the Hendrix community
inspires students to lead lives of accomplishment, integrity, service, and
joy.” –Hendrix College Statement of Purpose