31 August 2005

Longwood opens 2005-2006 academic year with largest enrollment of new students

Longwood University began the fall semester Monday, Aug. 29, with the highest number of new students in its history.

New student enrollment includes 965 freshmen and 216 transfer students for a total of 1,181 new students this year versus 1,144 new students last year.

Longwood's total enrollment is expected to be between 4,300 and 4,350, as compared to 4,289 last fall, which was the highest figure at the time. On-campus enrollment is projected to be 3,978. Last fall's on-campus enrollment was 3,940.

"The enrollment increase can be attributed to the internship opportunities we build into all our programs," said Bob Chonko, dean of enrollment management. "Students realize that acquiring real-world, hands-on experience in their fields gives them an advantage in the job market, and our grads consistently have high rates of employment after graduation."

Some 64 percent of the transfer students are from the Virginia Community College System. Longwood this summer became the first Virginia college or university to sign transfer agreements with all 23 Virginia community colleges. Community college graduates who earn the Associate of Arts/Science degree with at least a 2.5 grade-point average (GPA) are guaranteed admission to Longwood.

The average GPA of the accepted freshmen is 3.3, and the average SAT score is 1,096, both about the same as last year.

The student body includes 14 students from Anhui University of Technology in Ma'anshan, China, with which Longwood has an exchange program. Some 11 are new students, and the other three have returned after studying at Longwood last year. Four of the seven Chinese students who were there last year have gone home to complete their degree. In the program, expected to grow to 30 students from Anhui by next year, the Chinese students study at Longwood for one or two years.

Longwood has recently garnered accolades in three national publications. In the America's Best Colleges 2006 rankings by U.S.News & World Report, Longwood maintained its #11 Tier One position ranking among public Southern universities that grant master's degrees. The university moved up from 37th to 36th for public and private Southern universities offering master's degrees. In addition, Longwood was included in two favorable categories: Highest Graduation Rates (61 percent) and Least Debt. The percentage of graduates with debt has dropped from 84 to 77 percent, and the average debt also has decreased.

Also, Longwood was selected a Best Southeastern College for 2006 by The Princeton Review. In this annual ranking, based on student surveys and published in a book, Longwood was cited for "offering undergraduates a well-rounded education, citizen leadership, and personal growth, all at a fairly cheap price, even for out-of-state students." Longwood also was cited for "an excellent college of business with a great reputation and excellent internship programs and job opportunities upon graduation."

Most recently, Longwood was one of only 20 colleges and universities nationwide selected by USA Today as colleges that "foster student success," according to the headline over the article, which appeared in that newspaper on Aug. 29. These institutions were chosen from among 700 four-year schools that participated in the National Survey of Student Engagement from 2000 to 2003. "What sets the schools apart, the researchers say, is that when factors such as the academic quality of the students they admit are taken into account, the institutions have above-average graduation rates and do an outstanding job of involving students in their education," the article says. "The institutions share what (the survey director) calls 'an unshakeable focus on student learning' and create environments designed to promote student success."

Returning and new students are discovering a new Ruffner Hall as classes in four departments began in Longwood's signature building, rebuilt from the fire of April 2001. The new $17.9 million, 73,000-square foot science building is expected to be open in January. Construction is proceeding on Longwood Landings - a $20 million student housing/retail project adjacent to campus on the site of the former Farmville Shopping Center, to consist of four four-story buildings. Work is also underway for the athletic fields (a lacrosse/field hockey field and soccer field and stadium) at Longwood Estate. A construction bid is expected to be awarded soon for the new recreation center.