Haverford College's 398-member Class of 2030 signed the school's Honor Code and gathered in Calvin Gooding '84 Arena on Aug. 26 for the last convocation President Wendy Raymond will lead before she retires.

Raymond, who has served as Haverford's president for more than six years, announced in November 2025 that she would step down in June 2027. That makes this the final first-year class she will welcome to the Haverford campus as president.

"The classmate sitting next to you may be a stranger now … but I guarantee, you won't stay strangers for long," Raymond told the incoming students at convocation, according to the college. "You are all now Fords."

The new class draws from 37 states, Washington, D.C., and 23 countries. More than half identify as students of color, and 34 percent come from homes where a language other than English is spoken.

Nineteen students are QuestBridge Scholars, recipients of full four-year scholarships for high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds. Nearly 93 percent of students for whom rankings were available graduated in the top 10 percent of their high school classes.

After convocation, students moved straight into Customs, Haverford's five-day orientation program. They met advisors and faculty, explored academic programs and ventured into Ardmore. The week included a hypnotist show, late-night donuts with Raymond and a dance party in Founder's Hall. Team Barclay claimed bragging rights at the closing Dorm Olympics.

Raymond's retirement announcement came roughly 48 hours after Vice President and Dean of the College John McKnight announced his departure for Dartmouth. Raymond wrote in November 2025 that she had decided, after much reflection, to retire in June 2027.

Her tenure included the launch of the Haverford 2030 strategic plan, the creation of the Michael B. Kim Institute for Ethical Inquiry and Leadership, and campus clean-energy projects. The Clerk, Haverford's student newspaper, reported that Board of Managers Chair Michael B. Kim '85 confirmed the board would form a search committee and conduct a nationwide search for Raymond's successor, including listening sessions to gather community input.