We Begin
by Kate Helm | photography by Chuck Zovko
Members of the class of 2017 share their visions for launching their lives at Lafayette. They are Luis Espinal (clockwise from lower right), Ollie Fosu, Shawn Hogan, Othman Guennoun, Cody Renfrew, Erika Hernandez, and Danielle Sedillo.
The Class of ’17 was selected from the largest applicant pool in the College’s history—6,766. With only 34% of the applicants admitted, it was also one of the most selective classes ever. The class is 52% male and 48% female, with U.S. students of color comprising a record-breaking 25% of the class. With 10% of our new students representing 39 foreign countries, this is the most diverse class in Lafayette’s history.
Longboarder: Luis Espinal
Lafayette’s “why not?” tells Luis Espinal that he has options. “It says that I am not restricted to learning just about my major, but I can learn about other things, too. Lafayette is a place where I can learn with no barriers.”
Seeker: Ollie Fosu
Always seeking the next opportunity, Ollie Fosu says, “I was looking for the school that would give me the most complete college experience, and I found that at Lafayette. From the time I received the personalized acceptance letter, I knew it was a place that genuinely wanted to see me succeed.”
Honest Rocker: Shawn Hogan
“The minute I saw ‘cur non’ and learned its meaning, I knew that a place full of spontaneous, enthusiastic, fearless people was where I wanted to be,” says Shawn Hogan. Fearless fits Hogan, and she’s just getting started.
Outdoorsman: Cody Renfrew
A reputation for excellence was pivotal in Cody Renfrew’s choice of Lafayette, as was recognizing that it could be his home on the East Coast. “I thought I would fit in great with the small, close-knit community.”
Pathfinder: Erika Hernandez
“Lafayette felt like home,” says Erika Hernandez. “Everyone was so welcoming and helpful.” Like Taaha Mohamedali ’11, assistant director of admissions, who visited Hernandez’s high school in Arlington, Texas, and helped arrange a campus visit for her. From that moment, she knew that Lafayette was the right path for her.
Cultural Ambassador: Othman Guennoun
“I chose Lafayette because of its amazing liberal arts education,” says Othman Guennoun. “I want a well-rounded education where I don’t just focus on my major.” With his diverse interests and talents, this Marquis Scholar is in the right place.
Keeper: Danielle Sedillo
“Academics are really important to me, and I knew I could receive a world-class education at Lafayette,” says Danielle Sedillo. “Also, I was given the chance to continue my soccer career, and I loved that I was given the combination of the two.”