[Vision2020] UI's Largest Incoming Freshman Class EVER

[Tom Hansen]

Courtesy of Steven R. Neiheisel (Assistant Vice President, Enrollment
Management).

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September 9, 2009

Dear Alumni and Friends:

Tenth day enrollment figures for the University of Idaho will be released
this morning and will note the positive direction and the momentum that is
building for the future. Numerous positive specifics will be noted
including:

Nearly 1,800 new freshmen -- the university's largest-ever incoming
freshman class. This marks the third consecutive year of increases.

A large increase in the number of transfer students, 733 or 9.7 percent
from a year ago.

Overall statewide enrollment at the University of Idaho registered a 1.4
percent increase over the previous fall, to 11,957. This marks the second
consecutive increase for overall enrollment.

Increases at regional centers in Boise, Coeur d'Alene, and Idaho Falls.

For incoming freshman, the numbers tell a great story about both high
academic quality and leadership:

45 percent of the freshman class boasts a grade point average of 3.5 or
greater,

The average GPA increased to 3.43, up from 3.35 last year.

The average ACT composite increased to 23.64, up from 23.10.

94 students who are former senior class or high school honor society
presidents.

21 new National Merit Scholars, for an institutional total of 66 of the
prestigious scholars who are in the top one percent of the nation's high
school graduates.

Enrollment success as described above is the result of a wide range of
factors but alumni contributions are increasingly critical and valuable
factors. Special thanks to all the alumni who helped with recruiting
events, funded a bus to Vandal Friday, worked college fairs both with
recruitment staff or on their own, and successfully executed a
wide-reaching phone campaign to admitted students. While everyone's
program and service contributions are important, it's also important to
note that successful recruitment and retention is fundamentally based on
positive student experiences and ultimately on the success of our
students. In many ways your conveying of your Vandal passion in every
interaction and with every encounter is perhaps your most valuable
contribution.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the alumni for all their
contributions to the institutional enrollment efforts and to especially
thank them for their passion and commitment to their alma mater that they
share in their day-to-day lives. Enrollment success is just one measure of
our university but it can serve as a reflection of our students' success.
The experiences you share of your successes in the classroom, in research,
on the playing fields, and across the range of out-of-classroom activities
represent the building blocks for student success and the most valuable
contributions you can make to the institutional enrollment effort.

Finally, a reminder that the enrollment effort, in support of student
success, is an ongoing institutional effort. Even as we note the
enrollment successes for this fall, we continue to plan and provide
programs for next year as we look to build on the current momentum and
positive direction. Specifically, there are two key upcoming university
events:

Envision Idaho, a major fall recruitment event aimed at high school
seniors on Oct. 1 and 2,

Transfer Preview Day, a major focus on students seeking to transfer to the
university, on Oct. 9.

Please share the links below with prospective students (or their parents)
who would make great future Vandals. More information is available online
about:

Envision Idaho at:
http://www.uidaho.edu/envision

Transfer Preview Day at:
http://www.uidaho.edu/transferpreview

Again, thank you for all you do to support the enrollment efforts and the
success of our students. I look forward to your continued support and
contributions as we continue to move in a positive direction.

Go Vandals!

Sincerely,

Steven R. Neiheisel
Assistant Vice President, Enrollment Management

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Seeya round town, Moscow.

Take pride, Vandals.

Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho
UI '96

Came a tribe from the north brave and bold . . .

"Here We Have Idaho"
http://www.tomandrodna.com/HWHI.mp3

"I-D-A-H-O Idaho Idaho Go Go Go"
http://www.tomandrodna.com/Vandals.mp3