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MILLIGAN COLLEGE, TN (Sept. 6, 2007) — Milligan College President Don Jeanes announced today that the college has set a record enrollment this fall, with 1,014 students. The previous record of 964 students was set in 2005.
Milligan has seen steady enrollment growth in the past decade from new academic and athletic programs, stronger retention among upperclassmen, and growth in graduate and adult degree completion programs. This, combined with more strategic recruitment and marketing initiatives and a new initiative for diversity, contributed to this year’s jump, explained Jeanes.
“We have grown numerically while successfully maintaining academic quality and being true to our mission, something that is very important to us at Milligan,” said Jeanes.
“Milligan is enjoying a significant renaissance. We’re building on a rich history and have expanded our programs and facilities to better serve a growing student community.”
Jeanes said the college would like to see continued growth, with an ideal size of around 1,200-1,500 students.
“Growth is important to continue to provide the most ideal teaching and learning environment for our students, with a robust curriculum, faculty, and student life program,” said Jeanes, who has been president at the Christian liberal arts college since 1997.
Jeanes explained that the intimacy of Milligan’s size helps students build personal connections to faculty members and other students and emphasizes the natural interdisciplinary feel of a liberal arts college.
“So we have a target enrollment range in mind that allows the college to maintain its personality and stay true to its mission, which in part is accomplished through a close-knit learning community.”
Jeanes said that the entire faculty and staff contribute to a successful enrollment year, because it’s the total effort that makes a Milligan education strong.
It’s about delivering a quality education, making that education attainable and affordable, and ensuring that they graduate not only with a diploma but with an experience and knowledge-base that will serve them for life and help them in turn to serve others,” said Jeanes.