By J. E. Barker

University Relations

MURFREESBORO – On the announcement of another record-breaking enrollment, Chowan University is already seeing the fruits of its expanded enrollment and retention efforts, furthering the school’s mission to foster the next generation to success in life.

“Chowan was founded primarily to give inquiring minds a place to become enlightened. What is a campus if it does not prepare students to live fully and successfully,” Dr. Chris White offered during the Convocation Address to start off the new school year. “Chowan looks to teach the next generation to think with their minds, but to translate with their hearts. Heads first, hearts fast, hands outstretched in compassion and service. This is a mission university and we take our slogan seriously – faith in your future.”

With the official numbers for this year’s enrollment reaching 1,484 students, it marks the seventh consecutive year that those numbers have increased.

“Total enrollment for 2014 is up to 1,484 from last year’s 1,367. The addition of 117 students represents an 8.6% increase,” Chowan University’s Provost Dr. Danny Moore announced. “It is the highest enrollment since 1971, and the second highest enrollment in the university’s history.”

The enrollment totals were bolstered by new students entering Chowan and an increased retention rate for returning students. Chowan has seen a significant increase in freshman and new transfers over the past three years, accounting for 622 of the total enrollment this year, a 10.5% increase over last year.

Another reason enrollment has increased is the freshmen to sophomore retention rate, which is up by 4% this year and 12% in the last three years. An increased rate of returning students results from Chowan’s latest efforts of more personal student support programs through the growth of its Academic Success program, refining financial aid, building campus ministry involvement, upgrading athletic facilities and expanding student housing.

As an example of expanding student housing and its effect on student satisfaction, residential students have increased a dramatic 13% and requests for off-campus living have greatly reduced as well, thanks in large part to the growth of the Whites Crossing student housing community named in honor of President M. Christopher White’s family.

Breaking yet another record and seeing sustainable growth still ahead, Chowan continues its tradition of providing quality higher education in a caring Christian environment.

Accredited with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Chowan offers over 80 undergraduate academic programs among The School of Arts and Sciences, The School of Education and The School of Business, and offers Masters Degrees through the School of Graduate Studies. Several departments are also individually accredited, such as Teacher Education Program’s accreditation by NCDPI and NCATE, as well as the Music program’s institutional accreditation by NASM. Chowan offers 16 varsity sports, as well as co-ed cheerleading, with 12 programs in the CIAA conference and all with dual-affiliation in the NCAA D-II and NCCAA.

For more information about Chowan University, visit www.chowan.edu or call 1-888-4-CHOWAN.