ADRIAN, Mich. – Adrian College is excited to welcome back all new and returning Bulldogs to campus as it boasts an incoming freshman class of over 500 students for the fifth year in a row. This brings the College’s enrollment to an anticipated 1640 students for the fall 2011 semester.
Adrian’s enrollment has climbed steadily since 2005 when the College hit a low of 840 full-time students. Over the past few years, the College has aggressively sought to increase its enrollment through increased selectivity and broader academic and athletic offerings. While this year marks the first as a leveling off point, it is anticipated that future growth is likely to come at a graduate level, rather than among undergraduates.
The College anticipates that future enrollment growth will likely come from graduate programs, such as the five-year athletic training program in which students will earn both a bachelor’s degree in exercise science and a master’s degree in athletic training. Students in the final year of such programs typically will not live on campus.
“We pride ourselves on being able to provide a very personal experience for our students,” said Frank Hribar, Vice President for Enrollment. “In addition, the college is sensitive to not outgrow its physical infrastructure.”
“We expect undergraduate enrollment to be at the 1,700 range moving forward,” Hribar said. “But now, the College is pursuing new enrollment growth in graduate programming.”
Nearly 1,620 of the college’s 1,640 students are full-time, a higher percentage than in years past. In addition, the College has welcomed its largest non-athlete population since 2006. With over a 100% increase in International Students at nearly 30 enrolled for fall, and an average ACT score which exceeds the state median, the College continues to demonstrate commitment to enrolling students who excel in all areas of academics.
Of the 540 new students arriving on campus this fall, about 500 are freshmen and the rest transfer students. About one-quarter of the freshmen are from out-of-state.Freshmen moved onto campus beginning August 14th to begin their “Welcome Week” and orientation activities. From settling into dorms to placement exams new students are exposed to the academic and social activity of their Adrian College experience.
Sunday also marked the annual tradition of the Matriculation Ceremony. This ceremony is a formal recognition of new students, and their families, as they become a part of the campus community. Faculty, staff and administrators, dressed in regalia, participated.
As has become a tradition in years past, incoming students concluded their experience by traveling to Chicago for the second year in a row. Their experience in the Windy City enriches their social and educational experience as they become the class of 2015.
Fall classes resumed Monday, Aug. 22
