Fall semester 2009 enrollment numbers at EMU reveal a strong upturn in first-year student numbers.
EMU has 219 first-year students enrolled the fall semester compared to 185 last fall. Traditional full-time undergraduate enrollment – first-year through seniors – totals 847 students, compared to 831 last fall.
EMU has a total undergraduate, graduate and seminary enrollment of 1,578 students compared to 1,439 last fall, according to figures released by David A. Detrow, university registrar. The increase in total enrollment from last year is due in part to the timing by which students in the graduate education and Adult Degree Completion Program begin their studies.
Largest class in 10 years
Lisa M. Rodino, associate director of undergraduate admissions, said EMU welcomed its largest class of 219 first-year students in almost 10 years. The class represents 21 states and 6 countries, with Virginia heading the list with 50 percent of the class. Pennsylvania follows with 22 percent and Ohio with 7 percent.
"The SAT average score for new students is 1075, up from last year’s average of 1060. The average GPA is 3.4, holding steady from last year," said Rodino, adding that "we have 18 students in our honors program."
The Adult Degree Completion Program (ADCP), an accelerated, non-traditional baccalaureate degree program, reported a total of 175 students at both sites – Harrisonburg and Lancaster, Pa., this fall.
Some 61 international students are enrolled this fall in undergraduate, graduate and seminary programs. Approximately 51 percent of full-time undergraduate students are from Mennonite or Mennonite-related groups.
The Intensive English Program (IEP), which prepares students for undergraduate collegiate work, has 36 students this fall. The students hail from approximately 15 countries.
Graduate programs see small increases
Eastern Mennonite Seminary, a graduate program of theological studies on the EMU campus, has a total enrollment of 130 students this fall compared to 120 last fall.
The Center for Justice and Peacebuilding (CJP) has a total of 69 students enrolled, up two from last fall.
The M.A. in counseling program has a total enrollment of 40 students, up five from last fall, and the master of business administration (MBA) program has 39 students compared to 43 a year ago. The M.A. in education program has 79 students enrolled in Harrisonburg and 102 enrolled in Lancaster, Pa.
"It’s hard to adequately express my appreciation to everyone who worked so diligently to communicate the values of EMU to prospective students and their families," said EMU President Loren Swartzendruber. "In addition to the hard work of admissions officers and the many faculty members who made phone calls and other contacts, congratulations are in order to the financial assistance office personnel for the many hours given to students and families to meet the financial needs of our students, particularly in light of this past year’s economic environment," the president added.