NEWS
NORMAN, OKLA. – The University of Oklahoma officially welcomed its largest freshman class in the school’s 134-year history, representing the largest class in the state’s history and the most Oklahoma residents of any other incoming class at the university. This is the fourth consecutive record-breaking class for OU and reflects a 20 percent increase over the last two years, marking a sign of continued growth and momentum for the university.
The class was celebrated at the annual Class Kickoff event at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Sunday evening.
“As more students than ever choose OU, I am honored to welcome such an exceptional freshman class to our university,” said OU President Joseph Harroz Jr. “As we continue to educate some of the nation’s brightest minds and prepare them for lives of impact, this record-breaking freshman class represents a significant milestone for OU and a crucial step for our state’s future. By bringing these talented individuals to OU, we are preparing them to excel and contribute significantly to our state's workforce initiatives. I look forward to the Class of 2028 experiencing the transformative and life-changing journey that comes with earning an OU education and am confident that their success will further strengthen our longstanding tradition of excellence and innovation.”
The Class of 2028 – which has the highest number of first-generation students ever – also boasts a collective high school GPA of 3.63. Among the incoming students, 650 achieved a high school GPA of 4.0 or better, and 243 students were ranked first in their graduating class. 759 members of the freshman class have qualified to receive Oklahoma’s Promise – a 3% increase from last year, with many utilizing OU’s Crimson Commitment resources, which provide support for fees and tuition. Additionally, this year’s freshman class includes 83 international students participating in the Davis United World College Scholars Program.
“We are thrilled to welcome the largest incoming freshman class in the history of the University of Oklahoma, marking a pivotal moment in our ongoing transformation,” said Jeff Blahnik, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Chief Enrollment Officer. “This dynamic group of students joins us during an exciting era of growth and innovation. At OU, they will benefit from an education that not only opens doors to real-world opportunities but also prepares them to make a significant impact. Our commitment to providing a world-class experience and fostering meaningful connections ensures that their OU degree will be a powerful asset in their futures.”
To accommodate growing class sizes, OU has made strategic investments in areas directly impacting students, including the creation of the Academic Success Center; growth in key faculty hires; and new targeted funding for critical upgrades to OU’s physical infrastructure.
OU also anticipates the opening of the first of two new residence halls in fall 2025. Designed with a small community atmosphere in mind, The North Building will provide 525 additional beds for incoming first-year students. The new residence halls will also feature premium accommodations, including a convenience store, coffee shop, lounges, outdoor spaces and more.
Class of 2028 statistics:
· 5,615 freshmen
· Average GPA of 3.63
· Average ACT score of 26
· 25.4% are first-generation students
· 650 had 4.0 grade-point average in high school
· 243 were ranked first in their high school graduating class
· 83 are Davis United World College Scholars
Final enrollment reports for the semester will be available the third week of classes. Data from previous years can be found through OU’s Office of Institutional Research and Reporting.
For more information on the Class of 2028, please visit ou.edu/admissions/incomingclass.
About the University of Oklahoma
Founded in 1890, the University of Oklahoma is a public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. As the state’s flagship university, OU serves the educational, cultural, economic and health care needs of the state, region and nation. OU was named the state’s highest-ranking university in U.S. News & World Report’s most recent Best Colleges list. For more information about the university, visit ou.edu.
Doris Benbrook, Ph.D., a Presbyterian Health Foundation Presidential Professor at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, has been named Associate Director for Translational Research at OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center, the only National Cancer Institute-Designated Cancer Center in Oklahoma.
The Harold Hamm Diabetes Center at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences will gain a new deputy director, Matthew Potthoff, Ph.D., effective January 1. Potthoff will also hold the title of Harold Hamm Endowed Chair in Clinical Diabetes Research and professor of biochemistry and physiology, with a secondary appointment in the division of neurology in the OU School of Medicine.
James George, M.D., and Jennifer Holter-Chakrabarty, M.D., were recognized by the American Society of Hematology (ASH) during its annual meeting Dec. 7-10.
