Ripon College Days

Media Credit: Photo by Nicole Klaas Considering Ripon. Sophomore Brandon Parrott-Sheffer (left) leads prospective student Gregory Janssen (middle) and his father, David (right), a 1981 alumnus, on a campus tour last weekend. [Click to enlarge]

For the second consecutive year, the Office of Admission is reporting an increase in the incoming class.

The college jumped from a small incoming class of 202 in 2004 to 262 in 2005. And, the numbers indicate the growth will continue, bringing in at least 270 students next fall.

Director of Admission Leigh Mlodzik reports admission numbers are up in several categories. "The numbers of applications we receive are up, as are the number of students admitted," he says.

Just how much higher the numbers are than last year's is difficult to calculate, says Mlodzik, because "the numbers fluctuate day by day." But, he does call this year's increase "rather significant."

In fact, Mlodzik says that the college is right on track to hit the Office of Admission's goal of 270 incoming students.

Mlodzik cites several reasons for increased interest in Ripon College.

"We created new publications this year," he says, "and we have more of an aggressive approach to communication with potential students."

He clarifies, "We try to have a lot more personal contact with potential students."

President David Joyce says these new marketing materials, including the new publications and the new logos, are part of the college's effort to recruit "harder and smarter."

He says, "We've really been working to target students who will succeed at Ripon, and by targeting our audience, we've actually spent less money and recruited more students."

Joyce also notes the college has made advances in providing campus tours.

"We've worked a lot to improve the campus visit experience," he says. "Introducing students to this campus is not about the buildings, it's about showing them how they can fit into the college and become part of its story."

According to Joyce, this larger class will do the college a world of good.

"Like any organization, we need capacity to run effectively," he says. "We're currently at 984 students, and we have a capacity of 1,050 to 1,080 students, so 70 to 80 more students will really help."

Joyce also says a larger incoming class could help with funding around campus.

"We're currently looking at the possibility of going to bonds for making improvements around campus, so more students will provide more money to pay off the bonds," says Joyce. "I also want to increase pay around campus to keep the college competitive. A large enrollment helps with all of this."

Joyce, however, is not letting the pressure from the desire to meet capacity risk the college's reputation.

"We could get to capacity tomorrow, but we'd have to drop our standards, and we're not willing to do that, so it's a process," he says.

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