Oct. 29, 2012
For Immediate Release
Mary Kutter, student news writer
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. — Campbellsville University has reached a milestone 12th consecutive fall semester of record enrollment for fall 2012 with a total of 3,664 students, according to Dr. Michael V. Carter, president.
The total enrollment, which is up from 3,607 in fall 2011, includes 532 graduate and 3,132 undergraduate students.
“We are very pleased to announce another record enrollment for the fall 2012. These numbers reflect a growing student population – both here on the main campus, through our increasing number of online programs, and at our various regional education centers,” Carter, who is in his 14th year as president, said.
Campbellsville University’s undergraduate students increased from 3,072 to 3,132.
“We have worked very strategically to have steady growth over time rather than dramatic and rapid growth,” John Chowning, vice president for church and external relations and executive assistant to the president, said.
“The steady approach allows us to provide new and improved facilities that are required, to hire additional faculty and staff, and to provide our students with the educational quality, spiritual atmosphere and overall experience that they merit.”
Diversity among full-time, degree-seeking undergraduate students increased with minorities up to an all-time record with 24.2 percent. Of the 143 full-time faculty, 9.8 percent are minority, up from last year’s 8.4 percent.
Students taking online classes increased with total headcount in 2012 being 1,297 from last fall’s 1,276.
Students in online programs exclusively include 397 for fall 2012 compared to 354 in fall 2011.
“I would note that Mr. [Dave] Walters and the admissions staff did an outstanding job this year of bringing in 580 freshmen students,” Dr. Frank Cheatham, senior vice president for academic affairs, said.
“I feel that the current record enrollment is a reflection of the outstanding education that is provided at Campbellsville University.”
Rachel Tingle, an admissions counselor, said she feels more students are being drawn to Campbellsville University first and foremost because it is a place where God is present.
“As soon as students walk on campus I feel they encounter Christ through friendly staff, qualified faculty members and through the joy of our students on campus,” she said.
According to Tingle, the Office of Admissions promoted the university through events such as Preview Day and Tiger Round Up, having record amounts of students participate.
In speaking about recruitment efforts, Walters, vice president for admissions and student services, said, “The Office of Admissions works very closely with the Office of Financial Aid to reach out to prospective students and families.”
Walters said the Office of Admissions’ staff work to “connect with students through the continual growth of technology and social media.”
“The admissions team relies heavily on the entire campus, faculty, staff and coaches for assistance in recruiting new students,” Walters said, “and it is truly a team effort across the campus.”
Concerning the university’s future goals, Chowning referred to Vision 2025.
“The Board of Trustees approved ‘Vision 2025-Preparing Christian Servant Leaders’ in 2009 as a long-range blueprint for the future. It calls for the increased growth of Campbellsville University in terms of enrollment and is committed to increasing the diversity of our student population as well as that of our faculty, staff and coaches. Vision 2025 outlines continuing steady growth in undergraduate and graduate programs.”
“If we continue to focus on the Christian environment, quality, student services and providing the academic support needed, then this is very doable,” Cheatham said of Vision 2025’s goals
Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 3,600 students offering 63 undergraduate options, 17 master’s degrees, five postgraduate areas and eight pre-professional programs. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.