FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 9, 1999
Contact: Tracy Moline, assistant director for media relations: (651) 690-6521, (612) 527-4852 pager
St. Catherine's continues upward trend, enrolling 4,372
ST. PAUL, Minn. — For the fourth straight year, the College of St. Catherine has experienced a growth in its enrollment, now serving 4,372 students on campuses in St. Paul and Minneapolis. The college maintains a student/faculty ratio of 14:1, enabling faculty to support students’ needs in a strong classroom environment.
1999-2000 enrollment numbers
• 2,646 students in associate degree programs, certificate programs and baccalaureate Day program;
• 828 students in Weekend College; and
• 898 students in eight graduate programs.
The largest freshman class in a decade, this year St. Catherine’s has 273 first-time freshman attending classes at the nation’s largest Catholic college for women.
St. Catherine’s is seeing an increase in its international student enrollment, with 5.4 percent of undergraduate day students arriving from foreign countries. This is significantly higher than the 3 percent national average of international students in United States colleges. In addition, the college is experiencing an increase in the number of multicultural students in its associate and baccalaureate degree programs. Enrollment by students of color across these two programs, which make up the bulk of St. Catherine’s student body, is nearly 20 percent, the highest in the college’s recent history. Overall, students from 15 states and Minnesota make St. Catherine’s their educational home.
“The human talent and depth of these students are wonderful,” said Cal Mosley, special assistant to the president for admissions. “In our freshman class alone, we have three national merit award winners and six valedictorians, and there are more than 155 different high schools represented. We feel we have a terrific student body here at St. Catherine’s.”
In associate degree programs, the college has attracted a significant class preparing for careers in health care and human service. “Despite an enticing job market, we have a healthy class entering our associate and certificate degree programs,” said Pam Johnson, associate dean and director of financial aid and admission. “The tremendous shortage of health-care workers makes the college’s offerings very attractive.”
Weekend College, celebrating 20 years of educating women to lead and influence, also experienced an upswing in enrollment, moving from 744 students in 1998-99 to 828 students in 1999-2000. Weekend College at St. Catherine’s provides a flexible and supportive learning environment for women who are juggling career, family and school; subsequently, enrollments have been on a steady rise as more women return to college to finish a degree, or enter college to pursue a degree and achieve greater financial stability.
“St. Catherine’s Weekend College provides a high quality education — we offer the majors students want, an environment that focuses on the learning styles of women and a format that’s flexible for students,” said Lynn Burbank, associate dean for continuing education. Burbank oversees the admission areas of Weekend College and the college’s eight graduate programs. “Students who come to St. Catherine’s are determined to squeeze every ounce of learning out of this experience and in turn, graduate from St. Catherine’s knowing they can be successful.”
St. Catherine’s continues to show increased enrollments in its eight graduate programs as well. The Master of Physical Therapy, Master of Occupational Therapy and Master of Nursing programs are full to capacity. “The College of St. Catherine has always been responsive to needs — our students’ needs, the marketplace’s needs ... we’ve taken the traditional strengths of the college’s undergraduate programs and developed graduate offerings to match what employers are looking for,” Burbank said.
The College of St. Catherine is the largest Catholic college for women in the nation. Founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in 1905, St. Catherine’s is a multifaceted institution serving 4,372 students on campuses in St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minn. St. Catherine’s offers bachelor’s degrees in the liberal arts and sciences, health care and professional fields in both full-time day and weekend formats. The college also offers professional certificates; degrees at the associate’s and master’s levels; and continuing education opportunities. In all its programs, St. Catherine’s offers students from diverse backgrounds a spiritual and ethical grounding that prepares them for lives of personal and professional excellence.
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