Centenary College Releases Fall Enrollment Numbers

group

SHREVEPORT, La. (Centenary News Service) — Centenary College announced today a fall enrollment of 904, about where it was two years ago (907) and down slightly from 974 last year.

"Given the fact that Centenary is in the beginning stages of a major transformation, we are encouraged by the passion exhibited by these students for Centenary's enduring purpose of transforming lives for the transformation of the world," said David Rowe, president of Centenary College. "Higher education in our state and our world is under strain. Centenary's early response to these pressures empowers us to preserve and advance the College's mission."

Centenary's response to the state of the economy included restructuring the academic program and moving to Division III NCAA athletics during the year, creating predictable impacts on enrollment. The College adjusted expectations based on those predictions and redoubled efforts to recruit and retain students.

"We had an incredible summer in the Admissions Department this year," commented Dave Voskuil, vice president for enrollment services. "Both our applications for admission and students deposit totals from June 1 until the first day class were higher this summer than the last four years combined. With a strong student/athlete recruitment effort supporting summer activity, it shows a Centenary experience remains attractive to today's students."

During the summer months, the national media also took notice of the opportunities for students attending Centenary. In its 2011 edition, the Princeton Review ranked Centenary College as a "Best Southeastern College" and one of the "Best 373 Colleges" in the country for undergraduate education. The college has consistently been on the list since 2004.

Also during the summer, the College was named by Forbes.com as one of "America's Best Colleges" for 2010, 'from the student's point of view.' Centenary is among a select group of colleges representing only 15 percent of the nearly 4,000 colleges in the U.S.

"We are pleased to be recognized as 'the best in the Southeast' and as one of America's best colleges, and celebrate these third-party endorsements of the work being accomplished at Centenary College," said Rowe. "These accolades strengthen our resolve to offer a selective private liberal arts and sciences higher education option for our region and our world."

About Centenary College of Louisiana

Centenary College is a private, four-year arts and sciences college affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Founded in 1825, it is the oldest chartered liberal arts college west of the Mississippi River and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Centenary is one of 16 colleges and universities constituting the Associated Colleges of the South and has been recognized as "One of the Best 373 Colleges" by the Princeton Review and one of "America's Best Colleges" and one of "America's Best Private Colleges" by Forbes.com. In 2008 Centenary College celebrated 100 years in Shreveport and Bossier City.