

As freshmen, Peyton Clapper ’27, Ella Escobar ’27 and Morgan Hatfield ’27 came to Longwood with different ambitions.

Longwood University was recently recognized on Money magazine’s list of the Best Colleges in America for 2026, a distinction that reaffirms the university’s commitment to offering a high-quality education that’s affordable.

Each year, the Longwood University Alumni Association celebrates alumni and friends of the university whose lives reflect the promise of citizen leadership: using talent, experience and relationships in service of something larger than oneself.
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Summer is an exciting time for new Lancers—a time of hope for new beginnings and anticipation of what the future holds. We asked 24 incoming freshmen about their career goals, why they chose Longwood, what they’re excited for, what they’re bringing from home and a fun fact about themselves.