From www.taylor.edu - Taylor University, integrating faith and learning

Increased Enrollment Numbers Reported at Taylor as New Academic Year Begins

09.01.2009

According to preliminary data from Taylor University officials, 524 new students have boosted Taylor's undergraduate enrollment to 1,975 students - compared with 1,871 one year ago. The new class includes 486 freshmen and 38 transfer students from other colleges and/or universities.

An additional 123 graduate students and 435 TU Online students boosted Taylor's overall enrollment to more than 2,500.

The figures were released following the beginning of Taylor's 164th academic year Monday, August 31, 2009, when Fall Semester classes started at 5:00 p.m.

Steve Mortland, dean of enrollment, said Taylor's student body comes from 44 states and 31 countries.

He added that a number of freshman class distinctives include:

    - An average ACT score of 27 (national average 21)
    - 6 National Merit finalists (34 on campus)
    - 33 valedictorians
    - 25% accumulated a high school GPA of 4.0

Fifty-seven of the new students also raised the number of ethnic and international students at Taylor to 239 - approximately 12% of the Taylor student body.

"The potential that each of these lives represents is both exciting and challenging," said Taylor's President Dr. Eugene B. Habecker. "Taylor University's ability to draw the best and brightest students to our classrooms is something for which we are grateful. Even more profound is the Christian testimony each of these men and women possess. We are looking forward to working with these students in the days, months and years to come."

Given its history and tradition, a large number of Taylor students are expected to take part in numerous overseas travel and study opportunities during the coming months. Twenty-five freshman students are spending their first semester in the Irish Studies Program. In the latest Open Doors Study Abroad report prepared by the Institute of International Education, Taylor University ranked 14th among the nation's baccalaureate colleges and universities for the percentage of undergraduates studying overseas.

Taylor's academic structure consists of three schools: the School of Liberal Arts, the School of Natural Sciences and the School of Graduate and Professional Studies. More than 60 major fields of study and four graduate level programs are available. Figures from the office of institutional research indicate Taylor's top five majors of study are:

    1. Elementary Education
    2. Psychology
    3. Biology
    4. Media Communications
    5. Exercise Science

"The Taylor University learning experience is one that is characterized by relentless discovery, global engagement and intentional community," said Dr. Steve Bedi, provost. "Our emphasis on whole person education for the whole world is historic. Our graduates serve God and humankind in a wide variety of professional callings across the nation and throughout the world. It is a high calling and privilege for the faculty and staff to serve as stewards of the institutions historic 164 year old mission."

 

About Taylor University: Founded in 1846, Taylor University is an interdenominational liberal arts university of evangelical faith located in Upland, Ind. The 2010 U.S. News and World Report survey America's Best Colleges ranked Taylor the number one Baccalaureate College in the Midwest. It marked Taylor's third straight top ranking following ten straight years of being ranked in the region's Top Three.
 
Taylor University is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU).