As students settle into fall semester classes, LaGrange College officials are celebrating record-breaking numbers of new undergraduates.

“We have a freshman class of 277 students, besting our previous high of 270 in 2013, and the largest group of transfer students (98),” said Joseph Miller, vice president for enrollment. “Our number of total traditional undergraduate day students (914) also broke a record.”

Miller attributes the increase to the college’s commitment to building relationships with prospective students.

“We want to find young people who understand and embrace the core values of this institution – civility, diversity, service and excellence – and who want to be challenged and inspired,” he said.

Part of that approach includes being responsive to the needs of each student.

“We connect them with our partners on campus, so they are forming multiple relationships – with their admission counselor, and also with coaches, faculty members and other students.”

President Dan McAlexander said he is pleased with not only the numbers, but also the quality of students being attracted to LaGrange College.

“This year, we had 86 out of our 148 Presidential Scholarship participants choose to enroll with us, another record,” he said. “The best and brightest students increasingly are viewing LaGrange College as their first choice of a college.”

Miller said his office works hard to understand prospective scholars, market and region.

“We are very intentional in what kind of student we want – smart, talented, passionate, driven and who wants to be at LaGrange College,” he said.

“We look forward to helping them all take their own journeys of discovery while they are here.”