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NEWS RELEASE
Record new student class at Sterling College
STERLING, Kan., Sept. 21 2006—Vice President for Enrollment
Dennis Dutton announced a 45 percent increase in new student
enrollment this year, making this the largest entering new
student class in Sterling College’s 119 year history.
This year’s freshman class has a total of 205 students, an
increase of over 50 students from previous years. Sixty new
transfer students were also added to the college campus,
bringing the official 20 day head count to a grand total of
607 students. The third largest total enrollment numbers in
SC’s history.
Dutton said the record new student enrollment is related to
initiatives prompted by President Douglas. “First of all,
faculty involvement in the recruiting process has never been
greater,” he explained. “Faculty have really taken ownership
of building their programs and were in touch with most of
our future students through email, phone calls and letters
in addition to meeting with them when they visited campus.
One
student who responded to such efforts was Clif Reichenborn,
the valedictorian of his Goddard High School class last
spring. He was impressed with the school’s effort. “The
professors knew my name before I even got here.”
Another reason given for the increased enrollment were
additional scholarships funded by Dr. Douglas along with two
of his colleagues totaling over $250,000 to attract quality
academic students like Reichenborn. These additional monies
helped meet the financial need for numerous students.
“Dennis Dutton and his staff deserve credit and approbation
for bringing to our campus a wonderful group of students,”
said President Bruce Douglas. “Our admissions team has the
ability to communicate at every level and attract the young
women and men who will excel in our Christ-centered
environment.”
Through the new recruiting initiatives Sterling continued
to hold true to its Christian perspective. Freshman Kim
Kenton, Poway, Calif., heard about Sterling through Darryl
Nuss, a Sterling College graduate and Board of Trustee
member from California. Kim came from a high school of 3,000
students. “I knew I wanted something different for college -
something small, personal and Christian - a place where
people would reach out and be open,” she explained.
“Sterling was the only out-of-state college I considered.
All of my friends were surprised at my decision. I even had
a ‘Going to Oz’ party before I left! I really have peace
that Sterling is the place God wants me to be.”
The
college also attracts students from similar small town
places. Ashley Dowgwillo from St. Francis, KS explained her
decision to attend Sterling, “I knew I was meant to be at
Sterling the moment I stepped onto campus for my visit last
year. The people, the classes and the atmosphere were all
amazing. It’s going to be a blast to be involved here –
everything from cheering on the football team to acting on
the stage!”
Sterling also attracted more students from a variety of
places this year. Though the number of new students from
Kansas is higher than usual, 58 percent of the new student
body came from out-of-state. Twenty-two states along with
Germany and Korea are represented in the new student ranks.
Both California and Florida have been added to Sterling’s
usual top states of Texas, Colorado, and Oklahoma.
Males also outnumber females 59 to 41 percent, thanks in
large part to the Warrior football team topping out at over
130 players.
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