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. 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 at Chowan reaching 1,484, the university marks the seventh consecutive year that enrollment has 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 has increased 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 our 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.

Chowan University is celebrating these great enrollment and retention numbers! Breaking yet another record and seeing sustainable growth still ahead, Chowan continues its tradition of providing quality higher education in a caring Christian environment.