HARRISBURG, PA — A new academic year is underway at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (HU), and this fall marks a special moment in the University’s history. As HU celebrates its 25th anniversary, we are welcoming a new generation of students ready to make their mark: the Class of 2030.
The Class of 2030 includes 137 newly enrolled students, including 127 first-year students and 10 transfer students. The incoming class represents learners from 11 states and has an average GPA of 3.2. Students are pursuing a wide range of fields across the University, with IT Sciences, Game Design, and Advanced Manufacturing ranking as the top three programs among the incoming class. The arrival of the Class of 2030 on Wednesday, August 26 and Thursday, August 27, brought new energy to downtown Harrisburg as students and their families arrived for move-in and began settling into campus life.
The Undergraduate Class of 2030 arrived alongside a substantial incoming graduate cohort. For the fall term, HU welcomed 464 new graduate students, including 323 master’s students and 141 doctoral students. Growth was strongest in the University’s doctoral programs, where interest has risen sharply over the past year. The Doctor of Physical Therapy program, launched this year in partnership with Select Medical, added 43 new students this fall for a total of 99 in its inaugural cohort. University-wide, HU welcomed 886 new students across the summer and fall terms, an increase of 272 over last year.
Move-In Week
Welcome Weekend gave students the opportunity to begin building their HU community before the first day of classes. Across the weekend, students connected with classmates, student leaders, faculty, and staff while learning about academic expectations and the support available to them. They also had opportunities to explore Harrisburg and have fun together through events including a city tour, bowling night, and activities with their academic schools.
Harrisburg City Tour and Bowling
The weekend culminated in another significant moment for the university. On Sunday, August 30, Harrisburg University held its first-ever Convocation to officially welcome the HU community into the new academic year. The event featured remarks from university leadership and an engaging performance from The UP Guys, whose interactive program combined entertainment with messages about growth mindset and resilience.
HU’s Inaugural Convocation
The celebration continued with games and a DJ party, giving students an opportunity to celebrate together before the semester got fully underway.
Games and DJ Dance Party
As Harrisburg University celebrates 25 years, the beginning of a new academic year provides an opportunity to reflect on the university’s journey while looking ahead to its future. The Class of 2030 now becomes part of that story, bringing their own ambitions and ideas to a university that continues to evolve alongside the world around it.
First Day of Classes
Dr. Christopher M. Reber, Harrisburg University’s new president, noted:
“This was my first Welcome Week at Harrisburg University, so in a sense the Class of 2030 and I are starting this journey together. What I have seen already tells me a great deal about this community: these are students who are eager to build something remarkable. Every learner who walked through our doors last week made a decision to invest in their future. Our promise is straightforward: they will learn from faculty who know their industries, work on problems that matter, and graduate ready to contribute from day one.”
We wish the incoming Class of 2030 every possible success!
ABOUT HARRISBURG UNIVERSITY
Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (HU) is an independent, nonprofit university offering degrees in advanced manufacturing, analytics, biotechnology, cybersecurity, nursing, and other critical fields. Accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, HU serves a diverse student body through bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs that link research with practical applications. For information about HU’s affordable STEM degrees and professional development programs, call 717.901.5146 or email Connect@HarrisburgU.edu. Stay in the know by following Harrisburg University on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and YouTube.
MEDIA CONTACT
Do you have questions about this story? Interested in lining up an interview? Please contact Dan Wilhelm, Director of Communications for Harrisburg University, at DWilhelm@HarrisburgU.edu or 717.901.5100×1724.
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