LINDSBORG, Kan.— Bethany College has retained over 91% of its freshman class from fall 2010 to spring 2011. This is its highest semester freshman retention rate in five years and the highest spring enrollment since 2002. This continues Bethany’s three-year of trend of increasing enrollment.
“Retaining freshmen is a priority for Bethany College,” says President Edward F. Leonard III. “A Bethany education includes coursework that prepares students for employment, and it also provides experiences that help students learn about themselves and their vocation in life. We want to retain freshman so we can provide them with that education.”
The first year of college can be challenging for students. “By connecting with students in and out of the classroom, we help them be successful while they are here so they will be successful after graduation,” says Tricia Hawk, dean of recruitment and marketing. “When we have high retention rates, it shows that we have engaged our students and made them feel part of the Bethany family.” Bethany’s current student body represents 26 states and 16 international countries.
Bethany’s retention campaign is one of many new initiatives. Starting in fall 2011, Bethany will be the first college in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference and one of three private institutions in Kansas to have a wrestling program. For more information, contact Coach Jacob Marrs at (785) 227-3380, ext. 8299.
Bethany has also named Robert Carlson, M.B.A., professor of economics and business, as the special assistant to the president for innovation and new ventures. Carlson will help identify and implement projects that meet students’ needs and add educational value. One such project is Bethany’s new major in network marketing. Bethany is the first institution to offer network marketing major curriculum. For more information, contact Robert Carlson at (785) 227-3380, ext. 8167.
In addition, Bethany will offer a new degree in addiction counseling. The state of Kansas had previously required addiction counselors to complete an associate degree with 27 hours of addiction courses, but it will now require four-year degrees and licensure. Bethany will be one of only seven institutions in Kansas to offer four-year addiction counseling degree. For more information, contact Valoree Barrett at (785) 227-3380, ext. 8230.