August 29, 2003
Record Fall at Belmont: Enrollment Tops 3,660 and Keeps Climbing
NASHVILLE, August 28, 2003 – Belmont University has set a record for enrollment for the third year in a row and the fifth consecutive semester. More than 3,660 students have already enrolled for the fall 2003 semester, over 300 more than the 3,350 that enrolled last year and an increase of 10 percent, fueled by record graduate enrollment and the largest freshman class in the university's history. Belmont's enrollment is up 23 percent over fall 2000, when 2,976 students enrolled for the fall semester.
Dr. Robert Fisher, president of the university, is thrilled by the overwhelming student response. "Since move in day on Saturday I have had the opportunity to meet students from all over the nation and many parts of the world. We're thrilled to have our new and returning students here to share in the excitement of opening the new Curb Event Center, Beaman Student Life Center, and Maddox Grand Atrium, and we're eager to experience the impact of these new facilities on campus life."
This year's class includes over 3,000 undergraduates, up 7 percent from last year, and 650 graduate students, up 18 percent from last year. The class of entering freshmen is the largest ever, at 614, up 17 percent over last year, and the total class of new students (freshmen and transfers) is also a record at more than 1,000 new students.
"We are growing in quality as well as quantity," says Belmont University Provost Dan McAlexander. "By standard measures of selectivity, this is the most academically qualified freshman class at Belmont on record, with an average ACT of 24.8, compared to 24.5 last year. Also, 34 percent of this year's freshman class was in the top 10 percent of their graduating high school class and 62 percent were in the top quarter."
McAlexander notes that the record enrollment has Belmont well on its way to realizing a goal of its strategic growth plan, which envisions the university enrolling 4,000 students by the fall of 2007. "We've grown from 2,976 in 2000, when we started the growth plan, to more than 3,660 today."
Enrollment for the fall semester at Belmont closes on Sept. 2.
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Greg Pillon: 615.460.6645
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Belmont University, host of the 2008 Town Hall Presidential Debate, is a fast-growing community of nearly 4,800 students who come from almost every state and more than 25 countries. Committed to being a leader among teaching universities, Belmont brings together the best of liberal arts and professional education in a Christian community of learning and service. Our purpose is to help students explore their passions and develop their talents to meet the world’s needs. With more than 75 areas of study, 12 master’s programs and three doctoral degrees, there is no limit to the ways Belmont University can expand an individual's horizon.
For more information visit www.belmont.edu
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