Ferris
State began the Fall 2003 semester with 748 more students than
it did in Fall 2002—the second highest fall-to-fall enrollment
increase in history.
This system-wide enrollment of 11,822 represents
a 7 percent increase over last year’s total of 11,074 students.
Ferris President David Eisler attributes the
growth in enrollment to the conscientious efforts
of the entire campus community. “This is a shared success
that reflects the collective efforts of faculty, staff and students
in all areas of the University who work tirelessly all year long
to promote Ferris,” he said.
“Students come to Ferris because there
is no public institution of higher education in Michigan who has
our unique blend of technical, professional and interdisciplinary
programs that prepare students for careers,” Eisler said.
The University is especially pleased by the
increase in the number of new freshmen, transfer students and
Honors students. “We are seeing what may be the most well-prepared
incoming class we have ever had, many of whom are taking heavier
class loads,” said Dan Burcham, vice president for Student
Affairs.
There are an additional 517 on-campus students
enrolled this fall compared to last for a total of 10,280. This
includes students enrolled in classes offered on the Big Rapids
campus as well as Ferris’ Kendall College of Art and Design
in Grand Rapids.
Kendall recorded its largest enrollment increase
in history with 924 students, an 8 percent increase over last
year’s enrollment of 855 students and a 78 percent increase
over 1995’s enrollment of 520 students. “An increase
in the number of continuing students and interest in Kendall’s
graduate program in fine arts contributed to the historic increase,”
said Kendall President Oliver Evans.
Danielle Miller, a 19-year-old freshman Forensic
Biology major from Reed City, said Ferris was an obvious choice.
“Ferris is close to home and offered the program I wanted.
I’ve just always seen myself going to Ferris. I like the
idea that I can work on campus and that I can get a better handle
on my coursework by participating in the Structured Learning Assistance
Program. Everyone I’ve talked to really likes it here.”
Ferris-Grand Rapids attracted a number of new
students who enrolled in a new bachelor’s degree program
in Digital Animation and Game Design—the only program of
its kind in Michigan and one of only about 15 other bachelor’s
programs nationwide, according to Don Green, vice chancellor and
dean of Ferris-Grand Rapids.
The University Center for Extended Learning,
which offers classes in the evenings, on weekends, and online
at 16 locations throughout Michigan, also experienced considerable
growth.
