Enrollment Soars for Ravens
Benedictine College Tops Previous Record

Atchison, Kan. (Sept. 14, 2009) – Despite the dismal economy and negative reports from many sectors of higher education, the 2009-2010 school year at Benedictine College has seen enrollment soar by six percent, topping last year’s all-time high.  The 2008-2009 class of 1,347 fulltime undergraduates was the largest in school history and has been surpassed by this year’s class of 1,430.  Benedictine College also surpassed last year’s record for the largest incoming freshman class in its history.  The 2009-2010 freshman class of 428 is up 8% over last year’s record of 396.  Benedictine College has now experienced 12 consecutive years of undergraduate enrollment growth and each year brings more good news.

This is the first time in Benedictine’s history that the new freshman enrollment has topped the 400 mark, although new freshman enrollment has been over 300 students for the past seven years.   With that in mind, the college instituted an admission waiting list during the summer for the third consecutive year.  With the addition of transfer students, this is the first year in history that Benedictine has seen the new student population top 500 (505).  Legacy students account for 26% (100) of the class.  Two thirds of the class (291) completed high school with a grade point average of 3.2 or higher and 23 that finished with perfect 4.0 GPAs.  The class’s average GPA is 3.4. Thirty-three beginning freshmen scored 30 or higher on the ACT exam and the average ACT score for the entire class is 24.  Over 30% (133) of the class is from one state, Kansas.  The new freshman class is fairly balanced in gender at 53% female and 47% male and the group is national in scope, coming from 27 states. 

The college has added new majors like engineering physics, criminology, finance, and international business in recent years and added a full engineering program this year allowing students to get degrees in mechanical, electrical, civil, and chemical engineering.  On top of that, Benedictine is in the early stages of starting a nursing program.  The college recently announced Lynne M. Connelly, Ph.D., RN, as the director of the new program and students can begin a pre-nursing program this semester.  Upon completion of the licensing and accreditation requirements, Benedictine College intends to offer clinical nursing courses (usually taken in the junior and senior years) beginning in the fall of 2010.  The college plans to begin granting Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degrees in May of 2012.

Benedictine, long known for its focus on community and collaboration, is becoming increasingly recognized across the country for its excellence.   For the third year, U.S.News & World Report named Benedictine College one of “America’s Best Colleges,” listing it as a top tier school in the Midwest Master’s category.  The college was named one of the top 20 Catholic colleges in the country by the Newman Guide to Choosing a Catholic College and was named a leader in educational excellence, one of only 240 included in the college guidebook, Colleges of Distinction. 

“We are pleased to continue our growth trend even in this troubled national economic situation,” said Stephen D. Minnis, president of Benedictine College.    “In these difficult times, everyone is looking very closely at where their money is going.  They are investing in what is right and true, and Benedictine College offers that.”