Early this morning, nearly 2,000 first-year students from 40 states and 15 countries began moving into Marquette residence halls. A blessing for new students and their families by Rev. James Voiss, S.J., vice president for mission and ministry, followed. Watch a 60-second video about the Move-In Day experience.
President Michael R. Lovell greeted students this morning, handing out keys at The Commons, while Head Men’s Basketball Coach Shaka Smart and men’s basketball student-athletes greeted families and helped students move in.
In total, nearly 3,200 students are expected to take up residence in eight Marquette residence halls this fall, with 128 RAs and senior-level student staff for an approximate residence hall population of about 3,325.
New Student Orientation will take place Thursday, Aug. 25, through Sunday, Aug. 28. A full schedule of events is available on Marquette Today.
Convocation — considered the formal welcome to Marquette for new students and their families — will be Thursday, Aug. 25, at 4 p.m. on Central Mall, south of Wisconsin Avenue and adjacent to St. Joan of Arc Chapel.
The entire Marquette community is invited to attend the Mass of the Holy Spirit on Sunday, Aug. 28, at 4:30 p.m. in the Church of the Gesu. Following Mass, the Welcome Back Picnic will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Eckstein Common — between the Alumni Memorial Union and Schroeder Hall.
First-year students will continue to arrive through Thursday, with second-year students returning Friday, Aug. 26, through Sunday, Aug. 28. The first day of classes for all undergraduate students is Monday, Aug. 29.
Class of 2026 fast facts
First-year class figures as of Aug. 23
- With 1,990 students from 40 states and 15 countries, the Class of 2026 is poised to be the largest first-year class since 2018
- Over 16,500 students applied
- 30% students of color
- 36 valedictorians and 108 Eagle Scouts
- 23% are first-generation college students; 19% are legacy students
- 33% hail from Wisconsin
- The top feeder school is Loyola Academy in Wilmette, Illinois. Marquette University High School in Milwaukee is the second largest feeder school, with Saint Thomas More High School in Milwaukee ranked third.