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RELEASED: Aug. 18, 2005
DANVILLE, KY—A record 318 freshmen will arrive at Centre College on Aug. 31. In addition to being consistent with the high academic profile Centre has traditionally maintained, the Class of 2009 features the most out of state students in Centre history.
"We're thrilled with the record number of new students," says Carey Thompson, dean of admission and student financial planning, who adds that "the Class of 2009 will also stand out as one of the most diverse and high-achieving groups in recent years."
Out of state students make up nearly 40 percent of the freshman class, with minority and international students representing 9 percent of the total. Both figures are significant improvements over recent years. The strongest gains in out-of-state enrollment were in Tennessee, Ohio, Georgia and Virginia. The class is also quite diverse socio-economically: more than six out of 10 students receive need-based financial aid, a proportion that is unusually high for schools like Centre.
Academically, over half of students (56 percent) were in the top 10 percent of their high school class, and the average ACT score is 27.5. Both are consistent with Centre's numbers from over the past 10 years and represent the strongest new student profile of any Kentucky college or university.
The class is 54 percent female and 46 percent male. Twenty-six states and seven foreign countries are represented. More than four out of 10 Centre freshmen plan to compete on a varsity team. Nineteen freshmen are receiving Fine Arts scholarships for music or drama. And the Class of 2009 includes the inaugural group of Bonner Scholars, five students chosen to participate in a national service-leadership scholarship program.
The new student volunteer cleanup is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 3, followed by the opening convocation Sunday, Sept. 4. Classes begin for all students on Monday, Sept. 5.
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Founded in 1819, Centre College is ranked among the U.S. News top 50 national liberal arts colleges. Centre alumni, known for their nation-leading loyalty in annual financial support, include two U.S. vice presidents and two Supreme Court justices. For more, visit http://www.centre.edu/web/elevatorspeech/
For news archives go to http://www.centre.edu/web/news/newsarchive.html.
Communications Office
Centre College
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Danville, KY 40422
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