Seattle, WA
– For the second straight year, Seattle Pacific University will not only welcome the largest incoming class in its 120-year history, but also its most diverse group of new students. SPU President Philip Eaton says this is a great time for the university.
“We believe we have the right message out there about who we are and the quality of what we have to offer, and our numbers are exploding,” says Eaton. “With all the questions these days about the value of a college education, families and students ‘get’ SPU’s vision of engaging the culture and changing the world.”
In addition to the strong enrollment numbers, the new student class is made up of 30 percent ethnic minorities—another record. Eaton notes that the university has intentionally worked hard at making the campus more ethnically diverse. Racial reconciliation is a signature commitment of the university.
“Our world is divided in powerful, profound, and sometimes violent ways,” Eaton says. “As a leading Christian university, we must do everything possible to counter these forces of dividedness and build up a community that welcomes, nurtures, and encourages all people.”
The following is a list of projected enrollment statistics for Autumn 2011. All of these are projected as new records for SPU. (Final numbers will be available after school begins on September 26).
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Total enrollment: 4,191 (undergraduate and graduate students)
• Undergraduates only: 3,235 (freshmen, transfers, continuing, non-matriculated, post-baccalaureate)
• New students (high school and transfer students): 1,000
Of the new students, 30 percent are ethnic minority. This is the third year in a row when the ethnic minority rate has exceeded 20 percent.
Founded in 1891, Seattle Pacific University is a premier Christian university that equips people to engage the culture and change the world. Its comprehensive academic program serves more than 4,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Known for both their competence and character, SPU graduates are bringing about positive change in communities around the globe.
Posted: Wednesday, September 14, 2011