The 450 new freshmen comprising Wagner College’s Class of 2017 were welcomed into the campus community Thursday evening at a program in the Spiro Sports Center’s Sutter Gymnasium. Following an introduction by Ruta Shah-Gordon, assistant vice president for campus life, were President Richard Guarasci (5:25), Provost Lily McNair (17:11), Dean of Integrated Learning Patricia Tooker (23:48) and Student Government Association Andrew Burt (29:22). To end the program (31:24), the 10 freshmen who were celebrating their birthdays over Orientation Weekend were called up to the stage for cake and candles.

FUN FACTS: THE CLASS OF 2017

We have 450 students in the incoming freshman class.

60 are Honors students.

29 states are represented.

More than 60 percent are from outside New York state.

Ten countries outside the U.S. are represented: Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Egypt, France, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates.

Most popular boys’ name: Nicholas.

Most popular girls’ names: Madison, Nicole.

104 freshmen traveled more than 200 miles to come to Wagner.

Longest distance traveled within the U.S.: 4,970 miles, by Brooke Grainer of Ewa Beach, Hawaii

Shortest distance traveled within the U.S.: About 1,000 yards, by Christopher Rucci of Sunnyside, Staten Island

Longest distance traveled, worldwide: 8,818 miles, by Gabryel Aloapu of Auckland, New Zealand