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Sept. 6 , 2007
RIPON, Wis. – For years, the standard response to the question of Ripon College’s size has been, “About 1,000 students.” Now, according to the official 2007-2008 enrollment report, it is precisely 1,000.
It’s not the first time enrollment has reached four digits – as recently as 2003 it spiked to 1,001 – but you’d have to go back to the early 1970s to find several years in a row of 1,000-plus enrollment. Perhaps more significant for 2007 is the number of degree-seeking students, the most Ripon has seen in more than 30 years.
“Reaching 1,000 enrolled students indicates we are in touch, and tracking toward our goal of 1,100,” said Michele Wittler, Ripon College associate dean of faculty and registrar. “We’re also seeing a continuing positive trend in retention rates, a signal that Ripon is attuned to students’ needs at every stage of the college journey.”
President David Joyce has been vocal about his goal to see enrollment climb to 1,100 and said the campus is already preparing for that kind of growth.
“When we reach 1,100 students, we’ll be ready for them,” said Joyce. “The new Campus Apartments give us the residential capacity and we’ve recently added classroom space, so now we’re laying the groundwork for additional faculty and staff.”
Enrollment growth is a key indicator in Ripon’s recently vetted strategic plan.
About Ripon College
Ripon College, founded in 1851, prepares students of diverse interests for lives of productive, socially responsible citizenship. Ripon’s liberal arts curriculum and residential campus create an intimate learning community in which students experience a richly personalized education. Ripon has consistently been recognized as a “best value” and “Best 366 College” by The Princeton Review, a “Best Buy in College Education” by Barron’s, a “Best Liberal-Arts College” by Washington Monthly, and is listed among the 160 best schools in the nation by Colleges of Distinction.
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