TIFFIN — Heidelberg University welcomed nearly 400 first-year and 40 transfer students to begin studies for the 2016-2017 year, one of the largest classes of new students in the university’s history.

Among the entering class of students was Samantha Bensman, of Fort Loramie.

As a class, the new and transfer students, numbering 411, arrived with one of the highest recorded average GPA and ACT cohort scores, said Doug Kellar, vice president for enrollment management. Nineteen percent are from out of state, 21 percent are minority students and 46 percent are first-generation college students. Academically, 18 percent are Heidelberg Scholars and 14 percent are enrolled in the honors program.