Seminary Record Enrollment

Bowie Divinity Hall

Erskine Seminary Numbers Show Record New Student Enrollment

"When you have the right people, good things happen," says Dr. R.J. Gore, Vice President and Dean of Erskine Theological Seminary, when asked to comment on the institution's record enrollment of 115 new students this fall, who join 241 returning seminarians.

"The key to success is having good people, and we've had a whole series of people who made great contributions," said Gore. "Julie Nelson of our seminary staff has put together a recruiting plan — she has been to conferences receiving training in this area.

"I think having a plan and executing it meticulously has helped," said Gore. "We are now making use of CAMS software for all of our admissions, which means we are regularly kicking out letters and reminders to keep students abreast of where they stand in the admissions process. Faculty members and program directors write personal notes to potential students as well."

Gore said Erskine Seminary is becoming more visible through visits to colleges, workshops, presbyteries, and other church gatherings. "This year, we will probably go to 30 to 35 different places where we can tell our story," he said.

"Also, the explosion of faculty publications that has taken place recently has put the names of our faculty members and the name of the seminary out there," said Gore. "That says something. It lets people know we have well-credentialed faculty members here."

This past year's recruiting efforts included a special sit-down luncheon orientation, and this event proved a success. "We filled up the Founders Room in Moffatt Dining Hall," Gore said. "I don't think we've had that many at previous orientation programs."

Who are the new students being drawn to Erskine Seminary? "This year we had a larger number of students right out of college as compared to previous years," said Gore. "And we also continue to get our second-career students." Gore said a number of seminarians are student pastors or part-time church workers who want to enter full-time ministry.

"A lot of the students are coming into two-year programs such as the master of arts, master of church music, and other programs," Gore said. "They have finished college and want to get a degree to prepare them for specialized ministry, or go on to graduate school."

Gore noted that this fall's number of students from the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, the school's founding denomination, is also at a record high. "We have 49 ARP students," said Gore. "Last spring semester we had 50, but we have never had as many as 49 ARP students in the fall semester."

Erskine Seminary offers courses at a number of off-campus locations, and Gore said this contributes to the school's appeal. "The fact that the satellite campuses are there continues to show up as a reason people come to Erskine," said Gore. "Accessibility and affordability are key, and our tuition compares favorably to that of our peer institutions."

Gore said attracting and retaining students depends on "the whole complex of persons, activities and events that goes into making the seminary experience worthwhile." Gore praised the efforts of faculty and staff members who help shape the seminary experience.

"Our faculty has become increasingly adept at meeting the needs of students," Gore said. "Make it a good experience for students and they will come, and they will tell their friends, and the numbers will go up."

Erskine Theological Seminary was founded by the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in 1837. Today it serves students of various denominations.


		Bowie Divinity Hall Erskine Seminary Numbers Show Record New Student Enrollment "When you have the right people, good things happen," says Dr. R.J. Gore, Vice President and Dean of Erskine Theological Seminary, when asked to comment on the institution's record enrollment of 115 new students this fall, who join 241 returning seminarians. "The key to success is having good people, and we've had a whole series of people who made great contributions," said Gore. "Julie Nelson of our seminary staff has put together a recruiting plan — she has been to conferences receiving training in this area. "I think having a plan and executing it meticulously has helped," said Gore. "We are now making use of CAMS software for all of our admissions, which means we are regularly kicking out letters and reminders to keep students abreast of where they stand in the admissions process. Faculty members and program directors write personal notes to potential students as well." Gore said Erskine Seminary is becoming more visible through visits to colleges, workshops, presbyteries, and other church gatherings. "This year, we will probably go to 30 to 35 different places where we can tell our story," he said. "Also, the explosion of faculty publications that has taken place recently has put the names of our faculty members and the name of the seminary out there," said Gore. "That says something. It lets people know we have well-credentialed faculty members here." This past year's recruiting efforts included a special sit-down luncheon orientation, and this event proved a success. "We filled up the Founders Room in Moffatt Dining Hall," Gore said. "I don't think we've had that many at previous orientation programs." Who are the new students being drawn to Erskine Seminary? "This year we had a larger number of students right out of college as compared to previous years," said Gore. "And we also continue to get our second-career students." Gore said a number of seminarians are student pastors or part-time church workers who want to enter full-time ministry. "A lot of the students are coming into two-year programs such as the master of arts, master of church music, and other programs," Gore said. "They have finished college and want to get a degree to prepare them for specialized ministry, or go on to graduate school." Gore noted that this fall's number of students from the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, the school's founding denomination, is also at a record high. "We have 49 ARP students," said Gore. "Last spring semester we had 50, but we have never had as many as 49 ARP students in the fall semester." Erskine Seminary offers courses at a number of off-campus locations, and Gore said this contributes to the school's appeal. "The fact that the satellite campuses are there continues to show up as a reason people come to Erskine," said Gore. "Accessibility and affordability are key, and our tuition compares favorably to that of our peer institutions." Gore said attracting and retaining students depends on "the whole complex of persons, activities and events that goes into making the seminary experience worthwhile." Gore praised the efforts of faculty and staff members who help shape the seminary experience. "Our faculty has become increasingly adept at meeting the needs of students," Gore said. "Make it a good experience for students and they will come, and they will tell their friends, and the numbers will go up." Erskine Theological Seminary was founded by the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in 1837. Today it serves students of various denominations.