The President's
Post
Each
year we continue to get better at Ozarks, and that is a credit to all
of us. This year’s freshman class and the growing enrollment are
perfect examples of our improving status. Last fall our enrollment was
622 and this fall it is 654, an increase of 5.1%. Even more impressive
is the fact that the 1998 enrollment was 530, and our current enrollment
represents an increase of over 23% since then. I do not know of another
four-year campus in Arkansas or the region that can boast of more significant
increases. And for the first time in the history of Ozarks, over 400
students are living on campus in our residence halls.
We have an amazing Admissions staff at Ozarks, and
we can all be grateful for their dedication and commitment. Their work
is challenging and ongoing, and they bring us quality students. However,
recruitment is only half of the total enrollment picture; retention
is the other half. Our retention rate has improved drastically at Ozarks.
In the mid-1990s, the fall to fall retention rate was about 57%, while
our current fall 2000 to fall 2001 rate is 76%. That dramatic increase
is because of all of you, and I appreciate your sincere emphasis on
keeping students and their success as our primary focus.
The following chart provides a profile of this
fall’s entering class and a comparison to last fall.
| |
FALL 2000
|
FALL 2001
|
| TOTAL ENROLLMENT |
622
|
654
|
| TOTAL NEW STUDENTS |
246
|
250
|
| FIRST-TIME |
173
|
194
|
| PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARS |
18
|
19
|
| DISTINGUISHED |
|
|
| GOVERNOR’S SCHOLAR |
0
|
1
|
| HURIE SCHOLARSHIP |
0
|
1
|
| FIRST-TIME FRESHMEN |
|
|
| AVERAGE ACT |
22.4
|
23
|
| FIRST-TIME FRESHMAN |
|
|
| HIGH SCHOOL GPA |
3.41
|
3.47
|
| VALEDICTORIANS/ |
|
|
| SALUTATORIANS |
6
|
9
|
| CONDITIONAL ADMITS |
14
|
9
|
| |
|
|
Dr. Rick Niece
President
|
|
|
|
