Charleston Southern University’s vision is clear and continues to attract an increasing number of students to the university.
“Faith-based educational institutions are growing nationally in enrollment,” said university president Jairy Hunter Jr. “We have a highly qualified faculty that is dedicated to providing students with an excellent education in a Christian environment.”
This has been a record year in terms of freshman applications. Charleston Southern has more qualified applicants than number of spaces available in the fall 2007 freshman class. Therefore, the university has implemented a waiting list for the first time in the history of the school.
“Student life continues to be enhanced through CSU’s commitment to student scholarships,” said vice president for enrollment management Debbie Williamson. “More than 95 percent of CSU students receive institutional scholarships.”
Charleston Southern is building up the endowment pool that is currently invested with Bank of America Private Bank. Fundraising for the second quarter of 2007 is up 16 percent over the same period in 2006. During the second quarter, several new endowed scholarships have been added, and a number of people have joined the university’s Legacy Society, committing resources to the university through their estates, according to Bill Ward, executive director for development.
For 2007-2008, a 5 percent tuition, room and board increase has been implemented for full-time students, consistent with last year’s increase. This increase remains below the 5.9 percent national average for four-year independent institutions, according to the National Association of College University Business Officers.
Charleston Southern University is dedicated to its vision of integrating faith in learning, leading and serving, and is committed to preparing graduates and transforming their lives. This year, hundreds of decisions for Christ were made as a result of ministries on and off campus. Over the summer, CSU student and faculty groups participated in mission trips across the globe, sharing the gospel and providing services to the ill and others in need, such as orphans in Romania, sick children in Sudan and students in Ghana.