Freshman, graduate increases result in enrollment gains in 2006
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Freshman enrollment grew by almost eight percent and graduate enrollment grew by nearly 20 percent over 2005.
“We have made great strides this past year in spreading the word about the quality education and commitment to positive student development provided at Lipscomb University. The more potential students hear our story, the more they want to sign up to be a part of the Lipscomb experience,” said Lowry, who marks his one-year anniversary at Lipscomb on Nov. 1.
“The last two years have been rebuilding years for our enrollment, so we are excited that changes in marketing, recruiting and student retention programs are already starting to pay off,” Lowry said. “Next year’s enrollment should be even larger, due to innovations we have enacted this past summer.”
Targeted recruiting draws more freshmen
This school year, 576 first-time freshmen have officially enrolled at Lipscomb. That’s 41 more than 2005’s fall enrollment and 90 more than 2004’s first-time freshmen class, an increase of more than 18 percent over the past two years.
"Our enrollment has increased for a variety of reasons," said Corey Patterson, senior director of enrollment. “Our staff traveled more than ever last year. We targeted areas across the nation and changed the way we connect with students. We made a determined effort to build personal relationships with students and tell our story to those who may not know us as well as we would like.”
New education programs boost graduate student enrollment
The total number of graduate students at Lipscomb increased from 221 to 274, with large increases in the education and business programs. Enrollment in Lipscomb’s graduate education program went from 81 students enrolled in 2005 to 125 this fall — a 64 percent increase — due to the addition of three new programs.
The Master of Arts in Learning and Teaching program began enrolling students last November and has drawn many professionals working to make teaching their second career. The Master of Arts in Special Education, offering a degree in high demand by local schools, kicked off this summer. The Master of Arts in Administrative Stewardship program will accept its first group of students in the coming year.
These three programs are cohort programs offered through an accelerated format that only meets on selected weekends, a design that has proven popular among potential students, said Provost Craig Bledsoe.
“The fall enrollment of 41 new students reflects the dynamic new design of these programs, which attracts mid-career professionals desiring a non-traditional, holistic approach to teacher education,” said Bledsoe.
With 26 new students and a total enrollment of 68, Lipscomb’s Masters of Business Administration program enrolled its highest number of students since 2002. New students were attracted by improvements in the program and a strong reputation built up over the program’s eight-year history, said Greg Carnes, Dean of the College of Business.
“As we have sent more MBA graduates out into the community, more individuals are becoming aware of the quality of Lipscomb’s program,” he said. “The best advertising we can ask for is positive recommendations from professionals who have gone through our program.”
On-campus housing close to capacity
The number of students choosing to live on-campus this year increased from 1,244 in the fall of 2005 to 1,290 this fall, which is 59 percent of the student body, said Scott McDowell, Lipscomb’s Dean of Campus Life.
“Over the past few years we have greatly enhanced Lipscomb’s campus life, including life in the residence halls, where regular events and committed staff provide a strong community for students,” McDowell said. “It’s been demonstrated that the more involved students are, the better their college experience is overall, and residence hall life is a major part of getting students involved.”
Working closely with the Student Government Association, Lipscomb officials have enhanced the on-campus night-life this coming school year with a series of on-campus concerts, appearances by comedians, campus ministry activities and monthly off-campus trips to popular Nashville sites such as the Frist Center for the Arts. So the attraction of on-campus living should be even stronger next year, McDowell noted.