YPSILANTI, Mich., Sept. 5, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/
-- Eastern Michigan University
will enroll one of the largest classes of freshmen in its 166-year
history when classes begin Tuesday, Sept.
8.
While final enrollment figures will not be reported until
mid-September, preliminary numbers indicate that the University has
already enrolled 2,865 first-time freshmen, close to the previous
all-time record for freshmen of 2,872, set in 2013. Since fall
2010, when the University enrolled a total of 2,008 new freshmen,
the entering class has grown by 42 percent.
The freshman class also displays improved academic preparation,
strong diversity and further growth of The Honors College at
Eastern.
"I want to welcome our new and returning students to our
beautiful and historic campus, which is an exceptional learning
environment," said Kim Schatzel,
interim president, provost and executive vice president for
academic and student affairs. "In recent years, we have invested in
key academic and student facilities and increased financial aid
while setting the pace for tuition restraint in Michigan. Those factors, coupled with our
excellent faculty and the connection our students enjoy with their
instructors, are attracting more and better students to
Eastern."
Kevin Kucera, associate vice
president of enrollment management at EMU, noted that entering
freshmen and their parents often reference Eastern Michigan's high quality academic
programs and facilities, combined with an affordable tuition rate,
as significant factors in their selection of Eastern.
In addition to near record numbers, this year's incoming
freshman class is better prepared academically. The average GPA of
incoming freshmen is 3.29, up from 3.05 in 2010. Average ACT scores
are also climbing. This year's freshman class has an average ACT
score of 22.06, showing dramatic growth from an average of 21.05 in
fall 2010.
The entering freshman class also shows increasing diversity. The
number of newly enrolled African American freshmen, 731, represents
26 percent of the entering class, while the number of newly
enrolling Hispanic freshmen, 168, makes up six percent of the
entering class.
"These percentages are important, as they underscore that
diversity of our campus is a major priority for Eastern, and an
attribute we consider necessary for a high quality education,"
Schatzel said.
The Honors College, which accepts students entering with
typically at least a 25 ACT score and 3.5 high school GPA, has more
than doubled in freshman enrollment since 2011.
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SOURCE Eastern Michigan
University