The St. Thomas freshman class took its first steps toward becoming the graduating class of 2018 at the March Through the Arches Tuesday morning.

The group of 1,665 marchers contained 1,414 first-year students, 251 transfer students and 11 international students.

Current students and staff cheered the newest members of the university through the arches, and freshman Andi Markham embraced the tradition and said the march is important for all new students.

“I think it’s kind of like our rite of passage to be a Tommie,” Markham said.

According to freshman Emma Bassier, the march serves another major purpose.

“It ties us together with alumni, because you’ve done the same things even though you may not be the same age,” Bassier said.

Daniel Meyer, vice president of enrollment management, welcomed the new students and congratulated them on their exceptional high school academics.

The freshman class, which is 47 percent male and 53 percent female, had an average GPA of 3.58 and an average ACT score of 26.3. Both of these numbers are higher than last year’s freshman class.

Thirty-six students of the class of 2018 scored a perfect 36 on select portions of the ACT. Twenty-nine students were high school valedictorians. Fifteen students were salutatorians, and nine were National Merit Finalists.

Meyer also said that 203 students never received a grade below an A- on their high school transcripts.

Freshman Richard Stout said he sees importance in the university’s use of traditions like the march.

“It brings all of the students together, and it provides substance for everyone to latch on to and helps us all act as one instead of individually,” Stout said. “It helps build community.”

Undergraduate Student Government President Ryan Smith encouraged students to take charge of their education and their time at St. Thomas.

“There are countless doors waiting to be opened, and you just have to take the initiative to open them,” Smith said.

President Julie Sullivan was the final speaker of the day. She encouraged the freshmen class to do its best, saying the university “holds itself to the highest standards of excellence.” This is the second freshman class under Sullivan’s leadership.

For freshman Katie Leininger, the march was the first of many anticipated St. Thomas traditions.

“It’s kind of like becoming part of the school and beginning your new journey,” Leininger said.

Lauren Smith can be reached at smit7607@stthomas.edu.