Final reports reveal that the 2007–2008 enrollment numbers have reached a record high, with 3,221 students enrolled overall at the university. This is a headcount increase of 500 students since 2001. Additionally, the new freshmen population is the largest Andrews has seen in ten years, with 337 new freshmen enrolled. The new freshmen population increased this year by 47 students. A rapid increase of this size has not occurred since 2002. While the overall graduate school population decreased by one percent (or 18 students), the percentage of students enrolled in doctoral programs increased by five percent.

"Thanks to a challenge by Dr. Heather Knight, our new provost, and an Ad Hoc Enrollment Growth Committee, we've been challenged to grow the student population, including significant increases in our new freshmen group in the undergraduate programs," says Stephen Payne, vice president for Enrollment Management. "We've worked across campus to better communicate with and serve our prospective students. The academic advisors, residence halls, Student Financial Services ... everyone has done more this year than ever before. We want to continue to streamline the registration and enrollment process, designing it with students in mind." This work is now paying off.

Don May, assistant dean for the College of Arts and Sciences and director of general education and student retention, reports that retention rates—the number of first-year students who return—at Andrews look to remain steady, as well. Overall, retention rates are generally predicted to be around 71 percent, due to Andrews' admission standards and the type of university it is. Since early this decade, Andrews has consistently exceeded this expected retention rate, and this year appears to be no different.

May observes, "The new students this year are incredible. Even as you pass them on the sidewalk, they are engaged, thoughtful, and friendly. The university's faculty, staff, and students are more focused on what Andrews can be. We're off to a year where God is blessing, and Andrews can be proud of itself."

Gillian Sanner, student news writer, University Relations