The three universities affiliated with the South Carolina Baptist Convention are again reporting healthy enrollments this fall.
Anderson University welcomed a record freshman class, Charleston Southern University enrolled more than 3,100 students and North Greenville University set an overall record enrollment for the 19th consecutive year.
NGU celebrates 19 years of growth
Two students talk in front of Turner Chapel on North Greenville’s campus.North Greenville University enrolled the largest number of students in school history, with 2,451 undergraduate and graduate students beginning classes this fall, including a record 716 new students. Campus housing is near capacity, with 1,515 residential students.
NGU welcomed 105 Palmetto Fellows Scholarship recipients, who represent the best academic students from South Carolina.
“We are excited about another record enrollment, but what thrills my heart the most is the number of decisions for Christ that have been made on our campus,” said university president Jimmy Epting. More than 200 decisions have been made, and approximately 168 have surrendered to full-time Christian ministry on the campus since June 1. Those decisions came through Centrifuge and M-Fuge camps over the summer and since the start of school at the annual campus crusade and chapel services.
The university has approved a new graduate program, a master of arts in teaching, to begin in January at the T. Walter Brashier Graduate School in Greer.
“The program is offered for those who have undergraduate degrees in math, science, English, and social studies and who desire to gain certification to teach in the public schools,” said Shelley Dugle, dean of the graduate school of education.
Nursing program begins at AU
Anderson University’s enrollment pushed past 2,900 as 680 new students moved into campus residences on Aug. 18.
Members of Anderson University’s 2012 freshman class show their enthusiasm during opening week.As the school begins another academic year, it does so with new facilities and a major new program. The first students in the university’s new school of nursing have begun classes. Thirty-two traditional nursing students and 21 in the accelerated bachelor of science in nursing program fill the available slots for AU’s first nursing classes. They are meeting in a new state-of-the-art nurse education facility that features the most high-tech simulation equipment in the region and the first cadaver lab in the region dedicated to undergraduate training.
A new residence hall featuring room for 102 women students is also fully occupied. It is adjacent to the recently constructed Boulevard residence halls across the street from the front of campus. Four new residence halls have been constructed in the past four years to accommodate the record growth.
Classes began Aug. 21. Freshmen participated in a matriculation celebration featuring evangelical speaker Clayton King. They also took part in a ceremonial walk as they passed through the arches located at the front of campus to commence their college years.
Charleston Southern expands facilities
With the beginning of its 48th academic year, Charleston Southern University welcomed the Class of 2016 and the return of upperclassmen to campus. Total enrollment is 3,169, which is comprised of 2,818 undergraduates and 351 graduate students.
A new athletic center was dedicated Sept. 8 and houses locker rooms for the football, men’s track and women’s track teams and an athletic training facility.
“Football has been an extension that has allowed us to go out and share the vision of the university, to integrate faith in learning, leading and serving, and to do it on a national scope,” said CSU head coach Jay Mills. “We are excited about where we are today, but we’re even more excited about the future.”
Construction also continues at the center of campus for the Christian Leadership Building, which will open in 2013, and groundbreakings are scheduled this fall for expansions to the Derry Patterson Wingo School of Nursing building and the Hunter Reception Center.
The athletic center at Charleston Southern University is one of four new facilities on campus.