University hits 6,918 students as classes begin
With classes beginning today for the Fall 2013 semester, Belmont University reached its largest enrollment to date, this time with a total of 6,918 students. This is the thirteenth consecutive year the University has topped its previous enrollment.
Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher said, “In 2009, Belmont announced in its Vision 2015 statement an enrollment goal of 7,000 students, and at the time, that number appeared quite lofty and difficult to attain. But young people in record-breaking numbers are embracing Belmont’s mission to match their purpose, gifts and talents to the world’s needs. It’s an honor to welcome all of our students home to Belmont to start a new academic year.”
New students have been engaged the past several days in a number of annual “Welcome Week” activities designed to acclimate them to both the campus and the community. In addition to a variety of orientation sessions and social activities, 1,800 students—consisting primarily of new freshmen and transfers—spent Monday afternoon volunteering with several Metro Beautification sites, five Metro Nashville Public Schools and 16 non-profit organizations during an annual event called SERVE.
This year’s total enrollment marks an increase of 253 students from last year and includes 26 members of the charter Bridges to Belmont class. In addition, Belmont’s new Motion Pictures program anticipates that approximately 20 new and returning students will join the major in its inaugural year. The Belmont student body currently consists of 5,518 undergraduates and 1,400 graduate and professional students, representing a record for total enrollment.
“The exciting story of Belmont University continues,” noted David Mee, associate provost and dean of enrollment. “2013 marked the beginning of a wonderful partnership with Metro Nashville Public Schools through the new Bridges to Belmont program. The University will also welcome – once again – a dynamic student body from every corner of America and around the world.”
The incoming freshman Class of 2017 represents 45 states and eight foreign countries, with 75 percent of the class originating from outside of Tennessee. The University received more than 8,900 applications for graduate and undergraduate programs. The average ACT score for the 2012-13 freshman class is 26.4. In addition, 32 percent of new freshmen at Belmont were in the top 10 percent of their graduating class, and 61 percent were in the top quarter. This year’s record freshman class of 1,279 students held an average un-weighted cumulative high school GPA of 3.5 including 37 valedictorians and 17 salutatorians from schools reporting rankings.
To keep up with the University’s enrollment growth, Belmont is also in the midst of three construction projects to benefit student life. The Wedgewood Academic Center recently held a topping out ceremony and is scheduled to open next fall. A new residence hall is also under construction with plans to open next fall. Finally, a new Academic and Dining Services complex is being built to provide a new campus cafeteria that is 2.5 times larger than the current space. The building will also house several academic programs and include a large, underground parking garage for 1,000 vehicles.
Final Fall 2013 enrollment figures won’t be available until mid-September following the university’s official drop/add/withdraw period.
To learn more about attending Belmont, visit the University’s Prospective Student pages.
