This fall, Catawba College welcomed its largest class of first-time freshmen into its traditional day program since 2001. Three hundred and thirty three first-time freshmen joined the student body, topping the 328 tally from 2001.
The college's boarding population on campus also swelled to 675 students, up from 659 in 2012.
Total enrollment in all programs for this fall stands at 1310, with 1037 of these students enrolled in the traditional day program.
"We are pleased to welcome this large class of incoming first-time freshmen," said Catawba President Brien Lewis. "Like generations of first-time freshmen before them, Catawba continues to offer to these students an education rich in personal attention – that's our promise, that's what we as an institution do so very well."
Incoming students also expressed their preferences for an academic major although freshmen will not be able to officially declare it until after their first semester at Catawba. Forty-one of the incoming students expressed an interest in the College's accredited Athletic Training program. Fifty-nine of them expressed an interest in STEM disciplines (sciences, mathematics and technology). Slightly more than 14 percent of these first-time freshmen have applied and been accepted into the College's Honors program based on their academic qualifications.
This year's freshman class brings students from 21 states, including North Carolina, and six foreign countries. The entire student body has representatives from 17 foreign countries including Germany, Serbia, Lithuania, Sweden, New Zealand, Brazil, Ireland, Zimbabwe, Belgium, France, Israel, United Kingdom, Canada, Malawi, Australia, Spain and Poland. Forty-three North Carolina counties are represented by members of the freshmen class with three of those counties – Rowan, Cabarrus and Davidson – sending over 110 students to Catawba this fall.
One hundred and nineteen freshmen are student-athletes at Catawba. More than one-third of the students enrolled in the traditional day program are student-athletes.
"There are so many students who are really excited to be here this fall," explained Catawba Dean of Students Ben Smith.
"They're embracing our college community spirit and are really psyched about the opportunities before them. Their enthusiasm is contagious."
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Catawba Quick Facts
Majors, Minors and Fields of Study
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