Liberty University Welcomes Record Number of Students to Campus This Fall
Lynchburg, Va. (PRWEB) August 19, 2015 -- More than 4,000 new undergraduate students will begin studying on Liberty University’s campus this fall, contributing to a resident population of 14,000 for the first time in school history.
Freshmen account for 67 percent of new undergraduate students while transfer students and students returning after at least one semester away from Liberty make up 27 and 6 percent, respectively.
A number of factors have contributed to this record enrollment, including a new class of medical students, increased retention for currently enrolled students, the second of two new high-rise residence halls opening, and more national exposure for the school.
Liberty has a record number of National Merit students (who successfully earned an academic scholarship through the private not-for-profit foundation) studying on campus, 38 percent more than last year. Students with qualifying academic achievements are eligible to participate in Liberty’s growing Honors Program, which is designed to provide these 729 highly motivated students the opportunity to achieve their highest intellectual and creative potential.
Liberty students represent all 50 states and over 80 countries. The top five states where the Class of 2019 hails from are Virginia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Florida, and Maryland. After the United States, the top five countries represented are Korea, China, Canada, Vietnam, and Nigeria — over 270 new international students are attending Liberty this fall.
New students begin moving into residence halls on Wednesday, Aug. 19, and returning students will move in starting on Friday.
New students will be acclimated to campus during Welcome Week, hosted by the Student Advocate Office, as they attend informative sessions designed to orient them to life at Liberty. A number of events are offered, including karaoke nights, mountain biking and kayaking at Camp Hydaway, worship gatherings, and a Back to School Bash carnival at the LaHaye Multipurpose Center. See the Welcome Week schedule for times and locations.
The annual President’s Kickoff and Dinner, to be held this Friday, Aug. 21, will help new students prepare to cheer on the Flames and give them an opportunity to meet President Jerry Falwell and his wife, Becki.
After classes begin on Monday, Aug. 24, new and returning students alike will have a chance to celebrate the new school year during the annual Block Party on Saturday, Aug. 29. This year’s free outdoor carnival event features food, games, rides, and live music from JOHNNYSWIM, the Los Angeles-based folk/soul/rock duo, and the Nashville-based Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors. Fireworks will punctuate the night.
About Liberty University
Liberty University, founded in 1971, is the largest private, nonprofit university in the nation, the largest university in Virginia, and the largest Christian university in the world. Located near the Blue Ridge Mountains on more than 7,000 acres in Lynchburg, Va., Liberty offers more than 450 unique programs of study from the associate to the doctoral level. More than 200 programs are offered online. Liberty’s mission is to train Champions for Christ with the values, knowledge, and skills essential for impacting tomorrow’s world.
Liberty University News Office, Liberty University, +1 (434) 592-4955, [email protected]
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