DANA EXPECTS RECORD-BREAKING ENROLLMENT FOR 2004-05

A large influx of incoming freshmen and transfer students is expected to boost Dana College’s overall enrollment to a level not seen since the early 1980s, or possibly even the Vietnam War, according to college administrators.

Dean of Enrollment Management Jim Lynes said he expects 205 freshmen and 45 new transfer students to start classes at Dana on Aug. 30. In comparison, Dana enrolled 164 freshmen in 2003 and 140 in 2002. The new students are expected to push Dana’s overall enrollment to 620 students, an 11 percent rise over last year.

Administrators at the college said they believe these levels will continue because they are based on long-term changes, rather than a one-time demographic shift or promotion.

"The spike has happened a year earlier than I thought it would happen," Lynes said. "I think this trend will continue. The college has said they want to get to 750 in enrollment, and I think we can expect to see that within the next five years."

Many reasons were given for Dana’s sudden surge in enrollment, including:

• Focusing on local recruiting of students who want to attend a school where they can be both academically challenged and participate in many extracurricular activities.
• A new marketing approach that clearly tells prospective students about Dana College’s personality and strengths.
• The addition of unique, career-oriented academic majors, such as criminal justice and iMedia.
• Changes to the admissions process that make applying easier, but focus on higher-achieving students.

“We expect one of the largest enrollments since the Vietnam War years, when many students went to college to escape the draft,” said Dr. Myrvin Christopherson, Dana College president. “Our freshmen and transfer numbers are currently running about 40 percent above the 11-year average. I have to credit an outstanding team of admissions personnel, coaches and directors, supported by our excellent faculty and staff with the growth in new students. I also believe a more aggressive and focused marketing effort, revisions in and addition of new academic majors, and the new Gardner-Hawks Center have all helped more want to attend Dana.”

Dana College is a place where all students actively participate. They make things happen — in their own lives and in the lives of others. Through a highly supportive faculty and campus community, Dana students develop interpersonal skills, leadership abilities, and other important values and knowledge as they make choices about their future. Dana’s outstanding academic programs in business, education, art and social work, among others, ensure that students have the knowledge, skills and experience necessary to pursue challenging careers or placement in graduate school.

Dana College is a private, liberal arts institution in Blair, Neb. To learn more, visit www.dana.edu.

Dana College: Develop talents, Take charge, Build a future — We’re with you all the way.

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For more information contact:

Sarah Cavanah
Communications Coordinator
Dana College
(402) 426-7216
scavanah@dana.edu