More than 200 admitted students and their parents experienced Wagner College’s campus on Saturday, hearing from campus leaders, touring academic and residential buildings and talking with faculty.
“The day’s excitement and energy were tangible,” said James Plunkett, the college’s assistant vice president for enrollment management. “It was an incredible day.”
Guests were welcomed to the Spiro Sports Center by the Wagner College band, and the day’s presentation opened with cheerleaders. President Jeffrey Doggett moderated a student panel discussion, then took questions from families for an hour, emphasizing Wagner’s commitment to creating a culture of care for students.
Meanwhile, future students joined a “student confidential” session with student affairs leaders.
Families took campus tours, met with student organizations in Horrmann Library and engaged with faculty in the Union atrium before gathering for lunch downstairs.
“I thoroughly enjoyed interacting with prospective students and their parents,” said assistant professor Margaret Wilkins of the sports administration program, who represented the program on Saturday. “I believe it's essential to provide a personal touch by introducing myself to the students I will be teaching. Additionally, witnessing the enthusiasm of students as they prepare to embark on this significant transition in their lives is truly rewarding.”
Jennifer Herrick of Sayreville, N.J., attended with her daughter Grace, a future arts administration major. She said they had toured colleges in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania for nine months, and “I can’t recall any other event where leadership used the term ‘we care’ more frequently or earnestly.”
Plunkett noted that Wagner has momentum toward building the fall 2025 class, with applications and acceptances the highest in at least 15 years.
