DURHAM, N.H. - Close to 3,400 first-year students will enter the University of New Hampshire this fall as members of the class of 2018, the university's largest incoming class ever. More than 1,000 of them will enter science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) majors, an increase of 13 percent over last year.

"We worked hard to bring in the quantity and quality of this first-year class," said President Mark Huddleston. "Offices across the university helped us by raising the visibility of the institution, increasing connection with prospective students through targeted and personalized communication, and supporting more high school visits. We're bucking the trend of declining enrollment due to fewer high school graduates and we're proud to welcome this new class of Wildcats."

This year's first-year class saw an increase of seven percent in the number of in-state students over last year, up to 1,454 from 1,368. "We're pleased with this increase, which we attribute at least partially to the restoration of state funding that allowed us to freeze in-state tuition for two years," Huddleston said. "The support of Governor Hassan, state lawmakers, and the University System of New Hampshire board of trustees was critical and will continue to be as we work to keep UNH affordable."

Previously, the largest class to enter the university was in 2006 with 3,079 students. The size of this year's incoming class is currently 3,461, an increase of 13.5 percent, although the number may dip slightly over the summer as students make last-minute decisions; this includes both the Durham and Manchester campuses.

This year's incoming class also includes a significant increase in underrepresented minority students, up more than 23 percent since last year from 273 to 337. Underrepresented minorities at UNH include black/African American, Latino/Latina, Asian American, Pacific Island, and Native Americans.

Students and families will participate in orientation beginning today, June 2, and then return for the first day of classes Sept. 2.

The University of New Hampshire, founded in 1866, is a world-class public research university with the feel of a New England liberal arts college. A land, sea, and space-grant university, UNH is the state's flagship public institution, enrolling 15,000 students from 85 countries.
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Caption: Orientation for new students and their families is underway at the University of New Hampshire. Offered throughout the month of June, the sessions are designed to introduce them to the university, its expectations, and its resources before classes start Sept. 2.