September 23, 1999
LAWRENCE -- A record class of 101 official National Merit Scholars has enrolled at the University of Kansas this fall, Chancellor Robert Hemenway announced today. More than 300 National Merit Scholars are now enrolled at KU.
KU also today, in releasing its official enrollment figures for the final semester of the century, reported that the university's total enrollment has grown by nearly one percent. This year's class meets a goal of enrolling 100 new Merit Scholars by 2000, a goal Hemenway set when he was inaugurated as chancellor in 1995. The previous record was 90 in 1997.
"National Merit Scholars have the academic talent and opportunities to attend any university in the country," Hemenway said. "The fact that a growing number of these top students are choosing to come to KU is a glowing endorsement of the caliber of our faculty and the quality of our academic programs."
The Merit Scholarship is widely regarded as the most prestigious nationwide award bestowed upon graduating high school seniors. Merit Scholars represent the top 1 percent of graduating high school seniors. Finalists are chosen based on their academic abilities and records and extracurricular activities.
To be eligible for KU scholarships, students must achieve finalist standing in the Merit Scholarship competition and list KU as their college choice. KU's Merit Scholarship program includes tuition, room and board for students living in one of KU's scholarship halls.
The majority of KU's new Merit Scholars class comes from across Kansas. Counties represented include Barton, Cloud, Cowley, Crawford, Doniphan, Douglas, Harvey, Jewell, Johnson, Leavenworth, Lyon, McPherson, Reno, Saline, Sedgwick, Shawnee, Sumner and Wabaunsee. Other states represented include Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, South Dakota and South Carolina. KU enrolled 63 Merit Scholars in 1998, 90 in 1997 and 58 in 1996.
Also today, KU and the five other Kansas Board of Regents universities unveiled their official 20th day fall enrollment.
Highlights:
-- Total enrollment for the Lawrence campus is up 1 percent over last year. Current enrollment is 25,406, up from 25,155 in fall 1998. Counting the KU Medical Center, the university's total enrollment is up 0.8 percent.
-- The number of first-time freshman is 3,878, up three percent from 3,766 last year. The class has students from 95 of the state's 105 counties.
-- The average composite ACT score for the incoming freshman is 24.04. Just over 71 percent of KU freshmen earned ACT scores above the national average of 21.8. Also, 28.2 percent of KU freshmen earned a 27 or higher score. A perfect score is 36.
-- Enrollment at KU's Edwards Campus in Overland Park has jumped 12 percent over last year. Current enrollment is 2,022, up from 1,805 in fall 1998. Edwards Campus, located at 12600 Quivera Rd., offers 17 master's degrees and professional programs. KU faculty members teach classes, and class schedules are tailored to fit the lives of working professionals.
-- Enrollment at KU Medical Center in Kansas City, Kan. is 2,432. There were 2,470 students enrolled in fall 1998.
Contact: Todd Cohen, (785) 864-3256 or tcohen@ukans.edu