By far, the largest freshman class in Anderson University history moved into the residence halls on campus Saturday morning August 16. 657 freshmen, an increase of 150 or 30% over last year’s class and 125 more than the previous record class in 2012 will officially become AU Trojans. Remarkably, the freshman class of 2014 is nearly double the class that entered in 2003 (338). Anderson has set enrollment records each of the past 10 years.
Add a record 145 transfer students to the mix, and Anderson welcomed a staggering 802 new students to campus. Total enrollment for 2014-2015 is expected to approach 3,200 – another all-time record for the fastest growing private university in South Carolina and one of the fastest growing private universities in the nation.
Anderson University’s largest freshman class in history numbers more than 650 along with 102 transfer students. AU now has more than 3,100 students.
The new class at AU is also one of the most academically qualified in school history. Anderson now leads private universities in South Carolina in the number of enrolled students who received merit based state scholarships (Palmetto Fellows and Life scholarships).
Moving in at Anderson University is one of the most unique experiences among colleges in South Carolina as scores of volunteers, from current students’ parents, to faculty and staff, cheerfully descended on each new car as it arrived and quickly moved the contents to the respective room of the new student.
Two major events added to this year’s move-in weekend as Anderson celebrated the completion of campus construction projects and embarked on an ambitious new project at the university’s Athletic Campus.
On Saturday, a brand new, state-of-the-art Biochemistry lab officially opened. Anderson launched a new degree program in Biochemistry this fall. The lab, along with significant upgrades to an adjacent Biology lab, gives AU some of the finest science laboratory facilities in the region.
Anderson University’s new performing group Authenticity leads worship for an overflow crowd at the Matriculation Service featuring Clayton King.
An hour later, Anderson officials will broke ground on the first phase of a host of new athletic facilities to be constructed at the Athletic Campus. Phase one of the new construction features a new softball stadium, a tennis center, and a recreational swimming pool for Anderson students and the various summer camps taking place on the campus.
Additionally, students moved into the newest residence hall on the Boulevard across from campus. The as yet unnamed hall is the 5th new hall constructed in the past six years and houses 102 students.
On Sunday, the new students and their families joined the faculty and staff of AU for a special Matriculation Service led by a new performing group at AU called Authenticity and a powerful message from Evangelist Clayton King, followed by the traditional archway walk. Students passed through the storied arch at the front of the Anderson Campus and were greeted by President Evans Whitaker and his wife Dianne, then passed through a column of support composed of all the parents, signifying their passage into a new phase of their lives.