The Shadow
BRIDGEWATER, VA (VR) – Bridgewater College, home to approximately 1,450 students, welcomed more than 500 new faces this academic year. Among the new students are approximately 450 first-year students, more than 30 transfer students, nearly 30 graduate students and almost a dozen non-degree seeking students.
The Class of 2026 hails from 19 different states and 16 different countries, boasting BC’s highest international student population in years. The first-year students at BC were heavily active in their schools and communities and hold an average grade point average (GPA) of 3.6.
Of the first-year class, 21% are first-generation-meaning they are the first in their family to attend college-while 58 students have a family member who graduated from BC, part of Bridgewater’s legacy families. Another 26% are recipients of Pell grants, which are awarded to students with exceptional financial need. About one in three BC students are Pell eligible, and more than $2 million in Pell grants was awarded to BC students in the preceding academic year.
Members of the Class of 2026 include:
Conlan Staunton , a(n) Psychology major from Covington, Va. (24426)/(Covington High School)
Coree Nicely , a(n) Health and Exercise Science major from Clifton Forge, Va. (24422)/(Alleghany High School)
Gabe Miller , a(n) History major from Covington, Va. (24426)/(Alleghany High School)
Averi Phillips , a(n) Deciding major from Covington, Va. (24426)/(Alleghany High School)
Lexi Panther , a(n) Psychology major from Covington, Va. (24426)/(Alleghany High School)
Kinley Eggleston , a(n) Health and Exercise Science major from Covington, Va. (24426)/(Alleghany High School)
Bridgewater College is a private, four-year liberal arts college located in the Central Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Founded in 1880, it was the state’s first private, coeducational college. Today, Bridgewater College is home to approximately 1,450 students.
