Berry College kicked off the new academic year today, welcoming the class of 2029 to campus – Berry’s second-largest class ever.
Interesting facts about 2007, the birth year of the class of 2029:
- George W. Bush was president.
- The MESSENGER spacecraft made a second trip by Venus.
- The DOW index reached an all-time high of $14,164.53.
- Top Movies: “Spider-Man 3,” “Shrek the Third” and “Transformers.”
- “Irreplaceable” (by Beyoncé) was the top-played song.
- The Boston Red Sox won the World Series.
- The average cost for a dozen eggs was $1.68 and a loaf of bread was $1.21.
- Google launched the Android Operating System.
- Twitter (now X) was launched.
- They were in 7th grade when the Covid pandemic closed schools in March of 2020.
The new class, made up of 674 first-year students and transfer students, arrived last week for orientation. The class includes students from 33 different states and six other countries. Throughout orientation, they attended on-campus events, met their LifeWorks supervisors, took a photo as Berry’s “B” and participated in community service.
In addition to the new students, this academic year brings a new president to Berry’s campus. Dr. Sandeep Mazumder, Berry’s ninth president, began on July 1, 2025. He joined the community enthusiastically, following the retirement of Dr. Steve Briggs, who served as president beginning in 2006.
Construction of Morgan-Bailey Hall, Berry’s new health sciences building, was completed in time to welcome the first cohort of the Physician Associate Program. This 127-hour, 24-month residential program grants a Master of Medical Science upon completion.
Web Communications and Strategy Supervisor Isabella Bane
