Wartburg College will begin its 162^nd academic year Tuesday, Sept. 3, with an Opening Convocation welcoming first-year students.

Dr. Mark Biermann, the dean of the faculty, will discuss “The Gift Our Parents Give Us: A Heritage from Generations Past” during the annual event in Levick Arena at 10:15 a.m.

The arena will be adorned with flags from 35 countries, representing the homelands of more than 70 new international students. Wartburg will have a total of more than 170 international students on campus during the 2013-14 academic year, exceeding last year’s previous record of 143.

Dr. Darold Wolff, professor emeritus of biology, will receive the Wartburg Medal for his longtime service to the college and the Waverly community.

Wolff served in various prominent capacities during his 35 years at the college — biology department chair; pre-medicine adviser; softball coach; football, baseball, wrestling and basketball announcer; and faculty representative for the Iowa Conference.

He also served on the boards of the Waverly Health Center and the Waverly Senior Citizens Center and chaired the Bremer County Daffodils fund drive for the American Cancer Society.

First-year students will begin moving in to residence halls Friday, Aug. 30. Classes start Wednesday, Sept. 4, with two new majors — neuroscience and environmental science and studies — added to more than 50 in the curriculum.