Jenny Trammell is one of a
record 593 college students

Erskine Announces Record Enrollment

Erskine College and Seminary has announced its highest enrollment in the school’s more than 160-year history, with a total of 954 students enrolled at the Due West liberal arts college and graduate seminary.

There are 593 college students — the highest mark in 20 years — and 361 seminary students, the fourth largest enrollment in the seminary’s history.

The new enrollment record marks the first time Erskine has ever had more than 900 students, and breaks the previous combined high of 886 students set in 1999.

The enrollment figures include:

•113 new seminary students, the largest entering class ever at the seminary;

•218 freshmen at the college, the largest freshman class in more than 30 years;

•593 college students, the most since 1981, when the college enrollment was 643;

• 1130 freshman SAT average, the highest SAT average of any freshman class at Erskine; and

•48 Associate Reformed Presbyterian (Erskine’s sponsoring denomination) students at the seminary, the largest fall enrollment of ARPs in the seminary’s history.

Erskine President Dr. John Carson said one reason the enrollment figures are at record highs is the clarity of the institution’s mission.

"Erskine strives for the right balance between academic excellence and Christian commitment," Carson said.

He also said the school has under way a number of renovation projects that include dormitories and seminary housing. Erskine has also placed more emphasis on marketing the institution, the president said.

Perhaps the most important element, according to Carson, is hard work by the Erskine faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends.