Spring Break
Largest class to graduate in June
By: Nancy Lan
Issue date: 6/1/07 Section: News
Originally published: 6/1/07 at 1:45 AM EST
Last update: 6/1/07 at 1:45 AM EST
Originally published: 6/1/07 at 1:45 AM EST
Last update: 6/1/07 at 1:45 AM EST
Drexel will graduate its largest class ever June 16 in four separate ceremonies held in the Daskalakis Center between 8:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.
The University hopes to keep the commencement ceremonies personalized, despite the size of the graduating class. David Ruth, Dean of Students, feels that the commencement is a day to celebrate the University's students, and should be a celebration for each and every graduate.
According to Joan McDonald, vice president of enrollment management, student retention has been key in creating the largest graduating class ever. McDonald said in an e-mail that the University took an initiative several years ago to increase retention through methods such as "providing more financial aid for continuing students, restructuring the financial aid office to deliver better customer service, improve academic advising, adding programming … and adding learning communities in the residence halls."
In addition to retention efforts, Ruth attributed the large class size to the fact students' increased interest in attending Drexel due to the University's growing reputation and diversity. He said that as the University's name becomes more recognized, administrators hope that Drexel will continue to grow and reach larger populations of prospective students.
"We offer so many disciplines now - we're not just the 'engineering' or 'business' college anymore," Ruth said.
For the first time, the College of Nursing and Health Professions will be included in the main campus commencement. During previous years, the College of Nursing and Health Professions' ceremonies were held at the Kimmel Center but this year, they will be paired with the College of Arts and Sciences' graduates. Ruth stresses the importance of students graduating on Drexel's campus - he wants graduates to finish their journey at the University "from 'home,' where they started."
The large class size meant that a larger planning committee was needed to organize this year's event. This committee consisted of around 40 people who began preparations in November and will continue to make necessary operations adjustments until the day of the ceremonies. Adding the College of Nursing and Health Professions to this year's commencement also meant that more deans and administrators from the college were invited to participate on the committee.
This year, Drexel received more than 21,000 applications and admitted only 2,500 students. By this fall, the University predicts that it will receive 50,000 applications and will admit around 5,500 incoming freshman. The present freshman class is the largest yet, and will continue the trend in growing class sizes.
The University hopes to keep the commencement ceremonies personalized, despite the size of the graduating class. David Ruth, Dean of Students, feels that the commencement is a day to celebrate the University's students, and should be a celebration for each and every graduate.
According to Joan McDonald, vice president of enrollment management, student retention has been key in creating the largest graduating class ever. McDonald said in an e-mail that the University took an initiative several years ago to increase retention through methods such as "providing more financial aid for continuing students, restructuring the financial aid office to deliver better customer service, improve academic advising, adding programming … and adding learning communities in the residence halls."
In addition to retention efforts, Ruth attributed the large class size to the fact students' increased interest in attending Drexel due to the University's growing reputation and diversity. He said that as the University's name becomes more recognized, administrators hope that Drexel will continue to grow and reach larger populations of prospective students.
"We offer so many disciplines now - we're not just the 'engineering' or 'business' college anymore," Ruth said.
For the first time, the College of Nursing and Health Professions will be included in the main campus commencement. During previous years, the College of Nursing and Health Professions' ceremonies were held at the Kimmel Center but this year, they will be paired with the College of Arts and Sciences' graduates. Ruth stresses the importance of students graduating on Drexel's campus - he wants graduates to finish their journey at the University "from 'home,' where they started."
The large class size meant that a larger planning committee was needed to organize this year's event. This committee consisted of around 40 people who began preparations in November and will continue to make necessary operations adjustments until the day of the ceremonies. Adding the College of Nursing and Health Professions to this year's commencement also meant that more deans and administrators from the college were invited to participate on the committee.
This year, Drexel received more than 21,000 applications and admitted only 2,500 students. By this fall, the University predicts that it will receive 50,000 applications and will admit around 5,500 incoming freshman. The present freshman class is the largest yet, and will continue the trend in growing class sizes.
