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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
Their first classes and undergraduate research experiences have barely begun, but at more than 1,480 strong, Michigan Tech’s Class of 2025 is one for the record books.
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 history.
“We couldn’t be more excited to welcome such an incredible class of talented students to the Michigan Tech family,” said Michigan Tech President Rick Koubek. “We are a distinct research institution, offering opportunities and experiences unique to Michigan Tech. Students recognize that. That’s why they want to be here.”
MTU’s incoming class also has the highest number of first-year students from ethnically diverse communities, with 162 identifying as members of underrepresented racial and ethnic groups. And, the University enrolled the highest number of students who identify as women, with 2,054 women accounting for 29 percent of the total student population.
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 “Tech’s record-breaking enrollment this year is proof positive that Michigan Tech is one of the top universities in the world ...” Wallace Southerland III, 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
VP for Student Affairs/Dean of Students 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.
LSSU ranked in U.S. News & World Report
Lake Superior State University continues to rate as a leading institution in higher education, especially in the Midwest, according to U.S. News & World Report. Its 2022 “best colleges” rankings celebrated LSSU in four categories that Lake State had also made in 2021: best regional colleges in the Midwest; top public schools in regional colleges in the Midwest; top performers on social mobility in regional colleges in the Midwest; and best undergraduate engineering programs nationwide. For 2022, LSSU tied for 45th best regional college in the Midwest from 87 ranked, up one slot from 46th in 2021 from 76 ranked and level with 2020 at 45th from 70 ranked. For a third consecutive year, Lake State appraised as the third top public school in regional colleges in the Midwest from 12 ranked. LSSU rose 13 slots to 33rd from 46th from last year as top performer on social mobility in regional colleges in the Midwest from 76 ranked. Lake State tied for 185th best undergraduate engineering program nationwide at schools that don’t offer doctorates from 239 ranked, down from tied for 157th in 2021 from 220 ranked and tied for 161st in 2020 from 210 ranked.
Magazine ranks NMU as 20th best in Midwest
Northern Michigan University is the 20th best public university in the Midwest region, according to the 2022 U.S News & World Report rankings released recently. The latest edition assesses 1,466 U.S. bachelor’s degree-granting institutions on 17 measures of academic quality. Those that factor most heavily include graduation and retention rates, undergraduate academic reputation via peer assessment surveys, faculty resources for the previous academic year, and financial resources per student. NMU received another rankings accolade earlier this year: 39th nationwide in a listing of the “Top 50 Outdoor Colleges” compiled by Best Value Schools. “Even though students at this university have to face cold winters, they are surrounded by nature,” the NMU description stated. “They are close to Lake Superior, Marquette Mountain and other beautiful locations. NMU students receive free rentals of snowshoes, fat tire bikes and cross-country skis to explore.” The Best Value Schools list factored in available outdoor programs, activities and clubs. It also took into consideration the number of yearly days of sunshine.
Finlandia University was the site of a free COVID-19 vaccine and testing clinic at the Finnish American Heritage Center in late September. The public was invited, vaccinated or unvaccinated, and antigen test results were available within 15 minutes. Members of the Michigan Army National Guard, Western Upper Peninsula Health Department and Finlandia Nursing program were to assist and administer tests and vaccines. The clinic will serve as the first in a series of surveillance testing that will drive Finlandia’s decision-making regarding COVID-19. (Photo by Finlandia University)
