Whitworth University welcomes new students; holds consistent enrollment numbers despite changes under the current administration

While a steady line of cars entered Whitworth University’s campus, “I Got a Feeling” by the Black Eyed Peas blared through a speaker.

“Welcome to Whitworth!” a cheerleader shouted through a megaphone.

Whitworth University welcomed 658 new students Saturday for move-in day, with 90% of them having visited campus prior to their acceptance.

Despite anticipation of a decline in enrollments amid changes under the current administration and rollback on diversity programs, Trisha Coder, the assistant director of media relations for Whitworth, said they "bucked the trend."

Coder said 232 out of the 658 new students are first-generation, 90 are transfers and 170 are athletes. Nine of them are international students – a decrease from years before because of limited visa appointments and visa den