Lipscomb University hits all-time enrollment record this fall, 86 percent growth over last decade

Kim Chaudoin | 615.966.6494 | 09/02/2015

convocation 2015_large

* * * * *

As Lipscomb University marked the official beginning of its 125th academic year with President's Convocation on Sept. 1, the Lipscomb community celebrated another enrollment milestone as numbers after the first week of classes for fall 2015 have topped 4,600 for the first time in university history. This marks an 86 percent enrollment growth over the last decade.

This fall also marks the tenth anniversary of the Lowry presidency, one of only four Lipscomb presidents to serve ten or more years.

With an enrollment of 4,686 university students after the first week of classes, Lipscomb University has broken numerous enrollment records, including an undergraduate enrollment that has topped 3,000 students for the first time and a first-year retention rate of 83.5 percent. The enrollment number will increase in the next few weeks as cohorts in several graduate programs, including civic leadership and education, begin classes later in the semester. University classes began Aug. 24.

With an enrollment of 1,261 at Lipscomb Academy, the total Lipscomb enrollment including academy and university enrollment, is 5,947.

“For the last 10 years, we have worked very hard to imagine the unimaginable and then deliver it,” Lipscomb President L. Randolph Lowry said. “Ten years ago, no one would have suspected we would have the leading College of Education for teacher preparation in the nation or Middle Tennessee’s first college of pharmacy, but this staff and faculty did just that.

“This is an exciting time for the Lipscomb community. We’re being named among the best universities in a number of national rankings lists, as we continue the legacy of leadership from our first 125 years, with an education that is faith-focused and prepares students well for their futures. This is a place that not only challenges students to develop spiritually, but also gives them the practical, professional and character-building skills they need to be ready, day one, for their careers and the next part of their journey.”

Adding to the enrollment growth this semester are:

3,036 undergraduate students;
669 first-time freshmen;
47 graduate computing and technology students;
93 Doctorate of Education students; and
243 graduate business students.

“There has been an increasing interest in Lipscomb University in recent months,” said Rick Holaway, vice president for enrollment at Lipscomb. “Many factors have played a part in this increased demand for what we have here at Lipscomb. Our recruiters have worked very hard as well as our faculty who has been so willing to engage with our prospective students and to give them insight into our academic programs and a very special sense of community. Our campus visit experience gives our prospects a realistic snapshot of life at Lipscomb, and they feel like they belong when they step onto our campus.

“We have listened to parents and students and are providing an educational experience that they want. And the continual improvement of new and improved facilities on campus as well as new programming has also played a significant role in our success.”

Another significant milestone is a record first-year retention rate. This fall, 83.5 percent of last year’s first-time freshmen returned for a second year. This is the second consecutive year of record-setting retention numbers.

“When students get to Lipscomb they immediately feel like they are at home,” said Dr. Brian Mast, senior director for student success. “And our faculty have played a key role in that. They begin to build a relationship with students the first moment they meet them, engaging them in learning that is relevant to them and challenging them with a rigorous academic curriculum.”

Mast said there is also an increase in the number of students returning between their second and third years of college. He said this overall increase is a result of a focus on academic success programming that supports better academic accomplishment on the part of students and a higher likelihood of success on to graduation.

“We are now entering our fourth year of having an Academic Success Center at Lipscomb, and we are definitely seeing the results of that program,” said Mast. “So many factors play into retention, and we work intentionally to bring key people and offices together to collaborate to learn all that we can about our students, to serve them most effectively and to help them be successful in their academic pursuits.”

In addition to record enrollment, the university has experienced a record number of students living on campus. More than 1,540 students are living in campus housing, which is an all-time record.

“Our facilities, including recent renovations of our larger residence halls, combined with an on-campus living experience created by residence hall staff, is creating higher demand for the traditional on-campus experience here,” said Sam Parnell, associate dean of student life. “They provide constant academic, spiritual and social support to our students, creating a community that students want to be a part of and feels like home.”

This summer, High Rise men’s dormitory underwent a 92-day extreme dorm makeover. The eight-story, 80,000-square-foot men’s residence hall was completely gutted and remodeled in this intensive, around-the-clock renovation that began as soon as the May 2015 graduation concluded. In addition, this fall the university plans to add a kitchen and an outdoor patio area behind the men’s residence hall.

Lipscomb University delivers a comprehensive liberal arts education characterized by an integration of Christian faith and practice with academic excellence, preparing each student spiritually, intellectually, socially and physically. Lipscomb offers more than 185 undergraduate and graduate academic programs of study. For more information, visit www.lipscomb.edu.