on campus
Despite the lingering pandemic, students returned to Michigan Technological University in Houghton in great numbers this semester. (MTU phtoto)
ENROLLMENT BOOM
MTU’s incoming class is the largest since 1982 By Cynthia Perkins, MTU
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heir first classes and from ethnically diverse communities, undergraduate research with 162 identifying as members of experiences have barely underrepresented racial and ethnic begun, but at more than 1,480 strong, groups. And, the University enrolled Michigan Tech’s Class of 2025 is one the highest number of students who for the record books. identify as women, with 2,054 women Michigan Technological University’s newest Huskies arrived on campus last week, accounting for a 23 percent increase in firstyear student enrollment from fall 2020 and the largest incoming class the University has seen since 1982. Incoming academic credentials remain the highest in University Wallace Southerland III, history. VP for Student Affairs/Dean of Students “We couldn’t be more excited to welcome such an incredible class of talented students to the Michigan Tech family,” accounting for 29 percent of the total said Michigan Tech President Rick student population. Koubek. “We are a distinct research “Tech’s record-breaking enrollment institution, offering opportunities this year is proof positive that and experiences unique to Michigan Michigan Tech is one of the top Tech. Students recognize that. That’s universities in the world, and we why they want to be here.” are indeed a destination institution MTU’s incoming class also has the for talented women, minority, highest number of first-year students international and other students,”
Tech’s record-breaking enrollment this year is proof positive that Michigan Tech is one of the top universities in the world ...”
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Marquette Monthly
October 2021
said Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Wallace Southerland III. Tech’s total enrollment currently stands at 6,977, an increase from 6,875 in 2020-21, a year in which the global pandemic overshadowed the myriad of factors that consistently affect college choice. Full-time student enrollment has increased three percent. Beyond enrollment, Michigan Tech is projecting record gains in research expenditures and institutional giving. During the 202021 academic year, as MTU faculty pivoted to continue providing the learn-by-doing experience MTU is known for, researchers did what they do best, resulting in what is expected to be an all-time record of nearly $81.7 million in total research expenditures, an increase of nearly five percent over fiscal year 2020. The 2020-21 academic year also saw the University’s second-largest fundraising total in 20 years, at nearly $44 million. Over the last three years, the institution’s endowment has grown by roughly 40 percent.
