Of the total this year, there are 893 students enrolled (full or part time) in the undergraduate program and 52 students enrolled in the college’s two graduate programs — a Master of Science degree in Nursing and a Master of Education degree in Environmental Education.

Profile of Goshen College’s new students:

• Average grade point average is 3.5 on a 4.0 scale
• 54 percent female, 46 percent male.
• 50 percent come from Indiana
• 116 high schools, 27 denominations and 10 countries are represented
• The top declared majors are nursing, biology, business, physics, music, psychology and communication.

Editors: For more information about this release, contact Goshen College News Bureau Director Jodi H. Beyeler at (574) 535-7572 or jodihb@goshen.edu.

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Goshen College, established in 1894, is a residential Christian liberal arts college rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. The college’s Christ-centered core values – passionate learning, global citizenship, compassionate peacemaking and servant-leadership – prepare students as leaders for the church and world. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program, Goshen has earned citations of excellence in Barron’s Best Buys in Education, “Colleges of Distinction,” “Making a Difference College Guide” and U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” edition, which named Goshen a “least debt college.” Visit www.goshen.edu.

GOSHEN, Ind. — Goshen College welcomed new and returning students back to campus, as classes began on Aug. 30. Fall 2010 enrollment statistics at Goshen College show a total head count of 960 students attending full or part time and taking courses, seeking graduate degrees or seeking degrees through Goshen’s Division of Adult and External Studies (DAES), according to Goshen College Registrar Stan Miller.This year there are 919 students enrolled (full or part time) in the undergraduate program, including 236 new undergraduate students (first-time freshmen and transfers). In addition, there are 41 students enrolled in the college’s two graduate programs — a Master of Science degree in Nursing and a Master of Education degree in Environmental Education.

Other fall 2010 enrollment highlights:

• Profile of the incoming class: The average grade point average is 3.5 on a 4.0 scale, and they come from 118 different high schools. The top declared majors are nursing, biology, business, psychology and education. The first-year class is 58 percent female, 42 percent male.
• Profile of the undergraduate student body: Students come from 37 states, and the top five are Indiana, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois and Michigan. There are 58 international students enrolled from 37 countries. There are 120 full- and part-time U.S. minority students enrolled this fall.

Editors: For more information about this release, contact Goshen College News Bureau Director Jodi H. Beyeler at (574) 535-7572 or jodihb@goshen.edu.

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Goshen College, established in 1894, is a residential Christian liberal arts college rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. The college’s Christ-centered core values – passionate learning, global citizenship, compassionate peacemaking and servant-leadership – prepare students as leaders for the church and world. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program, Goshen has earned citations of excellence in Barron’s Best Buys in Education, “Colleges of Distinction,” “Making a Difference College Guide” and U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” edition, which named Goshen a “least debt college.” Visit www.goshen.edu.

Profile of the Class of 2013:

• 131 high schools represented
• 3.59 is the average high school grade point average (4.0 scale). Average SAT score of 1110 and an average ACT composite score of 24.
• 48 percent are from Indiana. Other top recruitment states are Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, Michigan and Iowa.
• 62 percent female, 38 percent male
• 34 different denominations are represented, 50 percent are Mennonite
• Nursing, biology, education, music and communication are the top declared majors
• 31 percent are from families in which one or both parents or legal guardians attended Goshen College

GOSHEN, Ind. — Community colleges and public universities are expecting significant increases in enrollment this fall, but they are not the only educational institutions bucking the economic downturn.

On Sept. 8, Goshen College Registrar Stan Miller reported a first-time freshmen class of 238 students, the largest for the college in 27 years (there were 239 students in 1982). It is a 39 percent increase over last year’s incoming class and the college has averaged 210 students in its first-year class over the past 20 years.

“We have much to be thankful for as this school year begins, especially as we have exceeded our own recruitment goals,” said Goshen College President James E. Brenneman. “I am thrilled by this large group of wonderful and varied students who have joined us, and look forward to the ways they will bring their energy, passions and ideas to enhance this Christ-centered community of passionate learners, compassionate peacemakers, servant leaders and global citizens. Welcome to them all!”

The Goshen College enrollment team attributes the positive numbers to many factors, in addition to noticing that in this economy students are looking to stay closer to home to save money on travel costs and to increase convenience.

“The entire Goshen College community has worked hard together this year to recruit these new students and retain our returning students. I thank all of the dedicated faculty and staff who made this happen,” Vice President for Enrollment Management Lynn Jackson said. “I am particularly pleased with this quality group of students – academically and personally – who have recognized the benefit of a Goshen College education.”

Jackson noted several measures the college – the only residential liberal arts college in Elkhart County, Ind. – had taken over the past year to ensure desired recruitment in the midst of unprecedented economic times. They pushed students to apply sooner to get a better understanding of what their financial aid package might be compared with other colleges. Additional need-based grants were given this year because of the economy. Coaches contributed to the enrollment increase with larger rosters. And the college marketed itself more aggressively in Northern Indiana than ever before, including regional TV spots during this year’s Super Bowl.

The registrar also reported a head count of 974 students in the undergraduate program and a total headcount of 1,017 students, including graduate programs. This is the largest total headcount since 2000, when there were 1,041 students.

This year’s graduate total includes an all-time high of 43 full- and part-time students enrolled in the college’s two programs – a Master of Science degree in Nursing and a Master of Education degree in Environmental Education. Last year, 28 graduate students were enrolled. In addition, 54 students are enrolled in the two Division of Adult and External Studies degree-completion programs – the Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership and the Bachelor of Science in Nursing for registered nurses.

Retention — a key measure of student satisfaction — also continues to be high at Goshen College. The latest figures show that 85 percent of the 2008-2009 first-year students are enrolled this fall. This marks the seventh year in a row of retention rates at or above 80 percent.

Nationally, the average first-to-second-year retention rate at all U.S. colleges and universities is 68 percent, according to ACT Inc., the nonprofit organization that administers the ACT college preparation test. For private colleges the first-to-second-year retention rate is 69.6 percent; for public colleges, 68 percent.

Editors: For more information about this release, to arrange an interview or request a photo, contact Goshen College News Bureau Director Jodi H. Beyeler at (574) 535-7572 or jodihb@goshen.edu.

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Goshen College, established in 1894, is a residential Christian liberal arts college rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. The college’s Christ-centered core values – passionate learning, global citizenship, compassionate peacemaking and servant-leadership – prepare students as leaders for the church and world. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program, Goshen has earned citations of excellence in Barron’s Best Buys in Education, “Colleges of Distinction,” “Making a Difference College Guide” and U.S. News & World Report‘s “America’s Best Colleges” edition, which named Goshen a “least debt college.” Visit www.goshen.edu.

College officials Tuesday reported a total head count of 958 students attending full or part time and taking courses, seeking graduate degrees or seeking degrees through Goshen’s Division of Adult and External Studies (DAES), compared with 971 last year.

This year’s graduate total includes an all-time high of 28 full- and part-time students enrolled in the college’s two programs – a Master of Science degree in Nursing and a Master of Education degree in Environmental Education, according to Stan Miller, the registrar at Goshen College. Last year, 16 graduate students were enrolled.

In addition, 44 students are enrolled in the two DAES degree-completion programs – the Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership and the Bachelor of Science in Nursing for registered nurses.

The DAES program is on a different academic schedule than the traditional program and Mary Moretto, director of DAES programs, said that she expects 23 students to enroll this week in the Organizational Leadership Program (OLP) and 19 students to enroll in the nursing program next week, for a total of 42 more students this fall.

“We’re pleased that our graduate and degree completion programs are attracting so many students. These numbers are a strong indication that we are meeting the changing needs of our students,” said President James E. Brenneman. “We also anticipate and are hopeful that our spring enrollment will be higher because of an increase in degree completion and traditional undergraduate transfer students.”

Brenneman also said he is pleased that retention – a key measure of student satisfaction – continues to be high at Goshen College.

The latest figures show that 84 percent of the 2007-2008 first-year students are enrolled this fall. This marks the sixth year in a row of retention rates at or above 80 percent.

Nationally, the average first-to-second-year retention rate at all U.S. colleges and universities for undergraduate, master’s and doctoral programs – the percentage of students who return for a second year of education – is 68 percent, according to ACT Inc., the nonprofit organization that administers the ACT college preparation test. For private colleges the first to second year retention rate for undergraduates is 69.6 percent; for public colleges, 68 percent.

Rising student satisfaction has prompted the college’s retention success over the past six years, according to Bill Born, vice president for student life and dean of students. For example, the 2007 Student Satisfaction Inventory of Goshen College students showed a high degree of student satisfaction in such areas as the overall experience of being a student, the course content within majors, the quality of instruction, faculty and academic advising, safety and security, campus living conditions, the caring attitude and helpfulness of staff, spiritual support and intercollegiate athletics.

“Our high retention figures show the value of effective strategies and efforts across campus by faculty and staff to better serve our students,” Brenneman said.

The president also acknowledged a decline in the number of traditional first-year students. The college begins the academic year with 172 first-year students in contrast to 202 last fall and 206 in 2006-2007. The last two years were the only first-year classes with more than 200 students since 1999-2000.

Brenneman attributed the first-year decline to a drop in the number of Mennonite students – 94 this fall compared with 129 last year – which is part of a larger demographic shift in Mennonite Church USA. “While we are aware of this reality that has been impacting our enrollment for several decades, we will continue to reach out to Mennonite students as we also extend a wider welcome to the larger community,” he said.

Other factors cited for the decline included increased competition with other private colleges for top students and the marketing challenge of making the college better known in the region. To improve recruiting and develop new strategies, the college is conducting a survey of prospective students this fall to learn why they chose to attend a college or university other than Goshen.

“We worked hard over the past year to attract more first-year students, but it’s clear that we have to do more, and we’re doing so,” Brenneman said. “Over the past eight months we have hired an enrollment consultant, improved practices and procedures in the Admission Office and increased our regional marketing. Enrollment remains our highest campus priority.”

Other fall 2008 enrollment highlights:

• Forty-one percent of the college’s first-year students are from families in which one or both parents or legal guardians attended Goshen College, compared with 32 percent in fall 2005. Nationally, 8.8 percent of first-year students at four-year colleges and 6.5 percent of students at private four-year colleges attend the alma mater of one or both parents, according to the most recent available comparison data from the 2007 Cooperative Institutional Research Program (CIRP) Freshmen Survey, which is administered by the Higher Education Research Institute.
• The profile of the Class of 2012 shows the continued strong academic credentials of Goshen College students. The average grade point average for the incoming class is 3.50 on a 4.0 scale along with an average SAT score of 1170 and an average ACT composite score of 24. Class members come from 11 countries and 23 states. The top declared majors are nursing, biology, business, education and music.
• The top five states sending full- and part-time students for traditional undergraduate programs at the college are Indiana (400), Pennsylvania (93), Ohio (66), Illinois (60) and Michigan (36).
• Of all full-time students, 60.6 percent are from Mennonite-affiliated churches and 39.4 percent come from other denominations or faith traditions.
• The number of U.S. minority students continues to be strong. There are 113 full- and part-time minority students enrolled this fall compared with 77 four years ago. In addition, 48 international students are enrolled from 23 countries, with the largest numbers from Kenya and Ethiopia.

—Written by Richard R. Aguirre

Editors: For more information about this release, to arrange an interview or request a photo, contact Goshen College News Bureau Director Jodi H. Beyeler at (574) 535-7572 or jodihb@goshen.edu or Richard R. Aguirre, Goshen College director of public relations at (574) 535-7571 or rraguirre@goshen.edu.

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Goshen College, established in 1894, is a residential Christian liberal arts college rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. The college’s Christ-centered core values – passionate learning, global citizenship, compassionate peacemaking and servant-leadership – prepare students as leaders for the church and world. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program, Goshen has earned citations of excellence in Barron’s Best Buys in Education, “Colleges of Distinction,” “Making a Difference College Guide” and U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” edition, which named Goshen a “least debt college.” Visit www.goshen.edu.

This fall, there are 971 students on campus, who are attending full or part-time or are taking courses or seeking degrees through Goshen’s Division of Adult and External Studies, compared with 951 last year, according to Stan Miller, the registrar at Goshen College. This year’s total includes 16 part-time students enrolled in the college’s first graduate program – a Master of Science degree in Nursing.

The college begins the academic year with 202 first-year students – the second straight year the incoming class has exceeded 200 and the second largest first-year class since 1999-2000. Last year, the college had 206 first-year students compared with 195 in 2005-06.

Meanwhile, the number of U.S. minority students has increased substantially. There are 115 full- and part-time minority students enrolled this fall compared with 93 in 2006-07, 82 in 2005-06 and 77 in 2004-05. In addition, 54 international students are enrolled.

This fall, the full-time equivalency (FTE) of students is 906 compared with 895 in 2006-07. Of that total for this year, the traditional undergraduate program has an FTE of 860.

“This is wonderful news,” said President James E. Brenneman. “Enrollment is a key way colleges measure success, which is why the latest figures are so gratifying. More importantly, we are excited about the opportunity to prepare more students for successful careers and vocations that will allow them to transform lives and change the world.”

Fall-to-fall student retention figures also continue to rise – a sign of growing student satisfaction at the college. New enrollment figures show that 84 percent of the 2006-07 first-year students are enrolled this fall as sophomores. The comparable figure last year was 83 percent and it was 80 percent for 2005-06. This marks the fifth year in a row of retention rates at or above 80 percent.

Nationally, the first-year retention rate at four-year schools – the percentage of students who come back in the fall for a second year of education – is 74 percent, according to ACT Inc., the nonprofit organization that administers the ACT college preparation test. For private colleges, the rate is 75 percent; for public colleges, 72 percent.

“These retention figures speak to strong recruitment strategies and overall student satisfaction once students arrive on campus,” said Bill Born, vice president for student life and dean of students. “Our defined core values offer a solid foundation for our recruitment and retention efforts.”

Born said he believes the college’s core values – Christ-centeredness, passionate learning, servant leadership, compassionate peacemaking and global citizenship – appeal to students, who welcome the support and guidance they provide.

“Our success this year is a credit to all faculty, staff and students engaged in enrollment efforts, in particular the enrollment management team,” Born said. “Enrollment is a shared objective by all at Goshen College and many have contributed to our success both in bringing new students to campus and retaining them once they have arrived.”

Other fall enrollment highlights:

• The profile of the Class of 2011 shows the continued strong academic credentials of Goshen College students. The average grade point average for the incoming class is 3.48, with an average SAT score of 1138 and an average ACT composite score of 25.57. Class members come from nine countries and 30 states, including 42 percent from Indiana. The top three declared majors are business, education and nursing.
• The top five states sending traditional undergraduate students to the college are Indiana (400), Pennsylvania (95), Ohio (75), Illinois (63) and Michigan (34).
• Of full-time students, 59.8 percent are from Mennonite-affiliated churches and 39.2 percent come from other denominations.
• Students are enrolled from 25 countries, with more than half these international students coming from Ethiopia, Kenya, Indonesia, Nepal, Ecuador, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Tanzania.

Related links:

• Press release: Opening convocation, Aug. 29, 2007
• Sermon text of opening convocation, “This we believe…” by President James E. Brenneman, Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2007
• Press release: Goshen College welcomes Class of 2011 this weekend, classes to begin, Aug. 22, 2007
• Sermon text of New Student Days Worship, “In Stillness…God” by President James E. Brenneman, Sunday, Aug. 26, 2007

Photo albums:

• Students depart for Study-Service Term in Peru, Aug. 30, 2007
• Opening Convocation & Applause Tunnel, Aug. 29, 2007
• New Student Orientation activities, Aug. 25-26, 2007

Videos:

• “This We Believe…” – Opening Convocation Sermon by President Jim Brenneman, Aug. 29, 2007
• Applause Avenue, Aug. 29, 2007
• New Student Days, Aug. 25-26, 2007

Editors: For more information about this release, to arrange an interview with Vice President Born or to request a photo, contact Richard R. Aguirre, Goshen College director of public relations at (574) 535-7571 or rraguirre@goshen.edu.

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Goshen College, established in 1894, is a residential Christian liberal arts college rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. The college’s Christ-centered core values – passionate learning, global citizenship, compassionate peacemaking and servant-leadership – prepare students as leaders for the church and world. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program, Goshen has earned citations of excellence in Barron’s Best Buys in Education, “Colleges of Distinction,” “Making a Difference College Guide” and U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” edition, which named Goshen a “least debt college.” Visit www.goshen.edu.

As the spring semester began, 934 students were enrolled in all programs at Goshen College compared with head counts of 870 for the spring semester in 2005-06 and in 2004-05, and 854 in 2003-04, according to Bill Born, vice president for student life and dean of students.

In addition, fall-to-spring student retention figures continue to increase among first-year students. New enrollment figures show that 96.6 percent of first-year students attending classes in the fall are enrolled this spring. The comparable figure for 2005-2006 was 95.9 percent, and in 2001, it was 88.6 percent.

Last fall, the college began the 2006-07 academic year with an overall student enrollment of 951, compared with 922 a year earlier, according to the college’s registrar’s office. The enrollment count included both full- and part-time traditional students and those taking courses or seeking degrees through Goshen’s Division of Adult and External Studies.

Student satisfaction, as measured by the yearly retention rate, continues to show considerable strength. Last fall, 84 percent of the previous year’s first-year students were again taking classes, marking the fourth year in a row of retention rates at or above 80 percent.

Nationally, the freshmen retention rate at four-year schools — the percentage of students who come back in the fall for a second year of education — is 74 percent, according to ACT Inc., the nonprofit organization that administers the ACT college preparation test. For private colleges, the rate is 75 percent; for public colleges, 72 percent.

“Our recent success in recruiting and retaining exceptional students is a credit to all at Goshen College. From the excellent work in enrollment management, to the personal relationships between faculty and students, along with the various support services providing for the everyday experiences of students, we are experiencing success,” said Born.

Goshen College’s Class of 2010 – those that entered in the fall of 2006 – has strong academic credentials. The incoming average grade point average for the first-year class was 3.53, with an average SAT score of 1126 and ACT score of 24. Class members come from eight countries and 21 states, including 44 percent from Indiana and 24 percent from Pennsylvania and Ohio. The top two declared majors are biology and nursing.

In addition, the college is optimistic that enrollment will continue to grow. The college is hoping to begin the 2007-08 academic year with 230 first-year students. If so, that will mark a substantial increase over August 2006 when 206 students were enrolled – the largest first-year class since 1999. In 2005-06, the initial first-year class numbered 195.

“While there is still much work to be done, the Admission Department has done an outstanding job thus far this year in positioning for a strong incoming class,” Born said. “The next few months will be critical as we work personally with each student and family in defining their educational goals and financial packages.”

For the fall 2007, Goshen College also expects to have 720 residential students compared with 594 students living on campus in the fall 2006. The increase is being driven by rising enrollment and the implementation of new residency requirements approved three years ago impacting the returning senior class.

Born said that he believes Goshen College’s core values — Christ-centeredness, passionate learning, servant leadership, compassionate peacemaking and global citizenship — are appealing to students, who welcome the support they provide.

Editors: For more information about this release, to arrange an interview with Vice President Born or to request a photo, contact Richard R. Aguirre, Goshen College director of public relations at (574) 535-7571 or rraguirre@goshen.edu.

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Goshen College, established in 1894, is a four-year residential Christian liberal arts college rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. The college’s Christ-centered core values – passionate learning, global citizenship, compassionate peacemaking and servant-leadership – prepare students as leaders for the church and world. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program, Goshen has earned citations of excellence in Barron’s Best Buys in Education, “Colleges of Distinction,” “Making a Difference College Guide” and U.S.News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” edition, which named Goshen a “least debt college.” Visit www.goshen.edu.

Contributing to that three percent growth are 206 students who are enrolled in the largest first-year class since 1999; a year ago the first-year class numbered 195. Overall new student enrollment is 272 students, compared with 264 last year.

Another strong sign for Goshen College is student satisfaction, as measured by the retention rate of first-year students returning for their sophomore year. As fall classes got under way, 84 percent of last year’s first-year students were again taking classes, marking the fourth year in a row of retention rates at or above 80 percent. Nationally, ACT data reports that in 2001, an average of 74 percent of students who were enrolled in four-year colleges returned to the same college for their sophomore year.

“Both the combined growth of new students and the first-to-second year retention rate suggest a trend for sustainable growth in the future at Goshen College,” said Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students Bill Born. “They also reflect the positive feeling on campus as we begin both this academic year and President Jim Brenneman’s leadership.”

The profile of the Class of 2010 continues to show the strong academic credentials of Goshen College students. The average grade point average for the incoming class is 3.53, with an average SAT score of 1126 and ACT score of 24. Class members come from eight countries and 21 states, including 44 percent from Indiana and 24 percent from Pennsylvania and Ohio. The top two declared majors are biology and nursing.

Editors: For more information about this release, to arrange an interview or request a photo, contact Goshen College News Bureau Director Jodi H. Beyeler at (574) 535-7572 or jodihb@goshen.edu.

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Goshen College, established in 1894, is a four-year residential Christian liberal arts college rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. The college’s Christ-centered core values – passionate learning, global citizenship, compassionate peacemaking and servant-leadership – prepare students as leaders for the church and world. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program, Goshen has earned citations of excellence in Barron’s Best Buys in Education, “Colleges of Distinction,” “Making a Difference College Guide” and U.S.News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” edition, which named Goshen a “least debt college.” Visit www.goshen.edu.

Goshen College has begun the 2005-06 academic year with the largest incoming class since the fall of 1999 with 195 first-year students enrolled, compared to 168 in 2004 – a 16 percent increase. Overall new student enrollment is 271 students, compared to 247 enrollees last year; among the new students are 23 international students.

According to final statistics released by Goshen College’s registrar’s office, the overall student head count is 921, compared to 908 in 2004, including both full- and part-time traditional students and those taking courses or seeking degrees through Goshen’s Division of Adult and External Studies.

“This news confirms our hopes of continued momentum of increasing our enrollment, as well as continuing to attract well-rounded students of the highest academic caliber,” said Galen Graber, executive director of enrollment.

The quality of incoming students to Goshen College continues to remain high. The Class of 2009 average grade point average is 3.58, with an average SAT score of 1167 and ACT score of 25.8. Among the Class of 2009 are 14 National Merit Finalists, 14 valedictorians or salutatorians. Sixty-four percent of the students placed in the top 25 percent of their high school class and 91 percent ranked in the top 50 percent. The class is from 105 high schools, 17 states and 7 countries.

One sign of student satisfaction is the retention rate of first-year students in returning for their sophomore year. As fall classes got under way, 79.8 percent of last year’s first-year students were again taking classes, marking the third year in a row of retention rates at or above 80 percent. Nationally, ACT data reports that in 2001, 73.9 percent of students enrolled in four-year colleges returned to the same college for their sophomore year.

The college has implemented several efforts to address retention over the past several years, including an alerts process that monitors and supports students who may be at risk (for any number of reasons) and responds with intentional interventions to assist them toward success, as well as improving campus facilities. As of this fall, all 660 beds on campus will either be newly constructed or renovated during the previous two and a half years, and a new apartment building for senior students now provides a further housing option.

Editors: For more information about this release, to arrange an interview or request a photo, contact Goshen College News Bureau Director Jodi H. Beyeler at (574) 535-7572 or jodihb@goshen.edu.

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Goshen College, established in 1894, is a four-year residential Christian liberal arts college rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. The college’s Christ-centered core values – passionate learning, global citizenship, compassionate peacemaking and servant-leadership – prepare students as leaders for the church and world. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program, Goshen has earned citations of excellence in Barron’s Best Buys in Education, “Colleges of Distinction,” “Making a Difference College Guide” and U.S.News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” edition, which named Goshen a “least debt college.” Visit www.goshen.edu/.

Overall new student enrollment was 247 students, compared to 258 students last year, maintaining consistent levels of recruitment, with 169 first-year students and 74 transfer students among the total new enrollees.

Final statistics, released by Goshen College’s registrar’s office, showed a total headcount of 908 students enrolled at Goshen College for the fall 2004-05 semester, which includes an increase of 17 full-time enrollees over last year and a slight increase in total full time equivalency (FTE), from 834 to 838 students. The statistics include both full- and part-time traditional students and those taking courses or seeking degrees through with Goshen’s Division of Adult and External Studies.

Vice President for Institutional Advancement Andrea Cook said, “With stabilized enrollment, we look forward to adding to our student body in fall 2005. Currently we have 15 percent more students who have indicated interest in Goshen and new recruitment materials and a Web site redesign will articulate even more clearly the distinctive opportunities for Christ-centered higher education at Goshen College.”

The quality of incoming students to Goshen College continues to remain high. The Class of 2008 average grade point average is 3.5, with an average SAT score of 1140 and ACT score of 25. Among the Class of 2008 are four National Merit Finalists, 15 valedictorians or salutatorians. Fifty-five percent of the students were in the top 25 percent of their high school class and 80 percent were in the top 50 percent. Thirteen of this year’s class received the college’s highest academic and leadership award, the President’s Leadership Award. The class is from 91 high schools, 21 states and 18 countries, and includes four sets of twins.

One sign of student satisfaction is the increase in the retention rate of first-year students in returning for their sophomore year. As fall classes started on Aug. 25, 82.3 percent of last year’s first-year students were again taking classes. This is an increase from 81 percent last year and 76 percent during 2001-02. Nationally, ACT data reports that in 2001, 73.9 percent of students enrolled in four-year colleges returned to the same college for their sophomore year.

In one effort to address retention over the past several years, the college implemented an alerts process that monitors and supports students who may be at risk (for any number of reasons) and responds with intentional interventions to assist them toward success. The college has also worked to improve campus facilities, including renovations of the dining hall and residence halls, and the addition of a connector between halls which offers lounges, a coffee bar, study rooms, a laundry area, kitchens and a game area. By the fall of 2005, all 660 beds on campus will either be newly constructed or renovated during the previous two and a half years.

Vice President for Student Life Bill Born said, “Given these initiatives, it is encouraging to see increased retention from first to second year two years in a row. We hope to continue raising our retention rate, hopefully hitting the high 80s in the future.”

Goshen College, established in 1894, is a four-year residential Christian liberal arts college rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. The college’s Christ-centered core values – passionate learning, global citizenship, compassionate peacemaking and servant-leadership – prepare students as leaders for the church and world. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program, Goshen has earned citations of excellence in Barron’s Best Buys in Education, “Colleges of Distinction,” “Making a Difference College Guide” and U.S.News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” edition, which named Goshen a “least debt college.” Visit http://www.goshen.edu/.

Editors: For more information, contact News Bureau Director Jodi H. Beyeler at (574) 535-7572 or jodihb@goshen.edu.