Salem College Students Arrive on Campus for Salem’s 255th Year of Classes

The Salem campus is once again bustling with life and laughter after a quiet summer!

Salem College’s 578 students, including 226 new students, the largest number of first-year and transfer students in Salem’s history, gathered for Opening Convocation on Monday, August 24. Students arrived by class, with the class of 2030 leading the way. Seniors, sporting fun shoes as tradition dictates, lined the Elberson Fine Arts Center hallway, cheering for each class as they entered.

President Jill Fleuriet welcomed students to the ceremony and presided over her first Opening Convocation. Dean of Academic Affairs Dr. Brett Woods offered words of encouragement to the first-year students and presented academic awards. Dr. John McConnell, Chair of Salem’s Board of Trustees; alumna and Board of Trustees member Beth Mabe Gianopulos; and senior Sky Sykes also addressed the Salem College community.

Third-year student Kailani Goggans, chair of the Honor Council, presented the Salem Honor Code, which was signed by every new student.

Convocation concluded with a candle lighting, which filled Hanes Auditorium with a warm glow, and the singing of the Salem Academy and College Alma Mater.

Dr. Fleuriet declared the fall 2026 semester open, and students began their first day of classes on August 25, marking Salem’s 255th year of educating girls and women.