Stanford’s 1,709 freshmen and approximately four dozen transfer students move in today, marking the commencement of New Student Orientation (NSO) 2011 and the University’s 121st Opening Convocation Ceremony, which will occur today at 4 p.m. on the Main Quad.

The incoming freshman class hails from all 50 states and 52 countries — 8.4 percent of the class is international and 39 percent come from within California. Sixteen percent are first-generation college students.

Freshmen intending to major in natural sciences and engineering comprise almost half of the Class of 2015, representing 25 and 21 percent of incoming students, respectively. Ninety-two percent were in the top 10 percent of their graduating class.

Transfer students include nine veterans and five international students. The total group ranges from ages 19 to 32.

NSO will include many of its traditional events, including tours, open houses, Sunday’s Three Books Discussion — this year themed “war ethics” — and a “Discover Stanford” talk featuring Provost John Etchemendy, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education Harry Elam and Dean of Freshman and Undergraduate Advising Julie Lythcott-Haims.

Grammy Award-winning bassist Victor Wooten will also be returning. However, void of the traditional football game, NSO 2011 will instead introduce a “First Lecture” delivered by Abraham Verghese, professor of medicine, on Thursday morning.

Today’s Convocation will include addresses by University President John Hennessy, Elam, Dean of Undergraduate Admission and Financial Aid Richard Shaw and Truman scholar Michael Tubbs ’12.