This North Greenville University student is one of a record number of students enrolled this fall at the state’s three Baptist-affiliated universities: Anderson, Charleston Southern and North Greenville.The three Baptist-affiliated colleges in South Carolina are reporting record enrollments this fall.
Anderson University
Anderson University’s full-time equivalency enrollment is up 13.4 percent over last year, and the total head count is 2,280, eclipsing the record figure set last year of 2,064. Last year was the first time the institution’s enrollment had surpassed the 2,000 mark.
A freshman class that exceeds 450 for the first time in the university’s history drove many of the gains shown by the data, but significant increases in student retention and transfers were also major factors, a spokesperson said.
The university’s six graduate programs and the adult evening program also set records in the fall of 2009, with the graduate program showing a 67.8 percent increase in enrollment.
Charleston Southern University
The 667 freshmen in the class of 2013 at Charleston Southern University represent the largest freshman class in CSU’s history.
Debbie Williamson, vice president for enrollment, said, “Early indications are that this class is strong in numbers, strong academically and already significantly engaged in campus life.” The freshman class represents 31 states, with 79 percent from South Carolina.
New student enrollment, including freshmen and transfers, is 9 percent above last year, said Williamson. There is a 3.5 percent increase in the traditional full-time student population, and the residence halls have seen a 5 percent increase over last year and are at maximum capacity.
North Greenville University
For the 16th consecutive year, North Greenville University welcomed the largest number of students in school history. A combined total of 2,254 undergraduate and graduate students began classes on Aug. 19, an increase of 79 over last year. New students totaled 680, selected from more than 1,600 applicants.
Campus housing is near capacity, with 1,479 residential students this semester. In anticipation of this influx, four new living areas for male students were opened this fall.
“With this growth, we have reached the outer limits for some of our facilities,” said NGU president Jimmy Epting. “We are out of space in our chapel and continue to seek support to begin construction for a new chapel/arena.
“We are grateful to have had such a strong pool of applicants for our incoming class and are pleased to welcome both the biggest and brightest class in school history,” said Epting.