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Ohio Wesleyan University
In late August, we welcomed 485 new students to the OWU campus, many of them supported by you throughout their college search and selection process. Early reports from faculty indicate that they are well prepared and engaged, and their presence is also being felt on team rosters, in student government, and in organizations across campus. Thank you for the encouragement you provide to your students as they prepare for the next step in their education and personal growth. We expect to be able to report great things from them as they make their mark on OWU!
Some statistics about our new students:
22% first generation to college
6% international (from 15 countries)
Top states: OH, PA, IL, CA, FL, and NJ
Average HS GPA: 3.71
19% U.S. students of color
Gender: 44% identify as male; 56% identify as female
Total enrollment at OWU this fall is 1,410 and first-to-second year retention improved to 82%. This is the largest, most diverse, and academically strongest new class since 2018, which is especially gratifying as the newly renovated first-year residence, Smith Hall, was ready for their arrival.
As you may know, Stefanie Niles, former Vice President of Enrollment and Marketing, was named President of Cottey College last spring and assumed her responsibilities this summer. I joined the talented enrollment team led by Laurie Patton, Director of Admission, and Kevin Paskvan, Director of Financial Aid, in July and will serve in this capacity for the academic year. Laurie led the efforts to hire several new team members this summer, and we are now fully staffed, just in time to return to a renovated Slocum Hall where the Admission and Aid offices are housed. We encourage you to visit campus whenever you are able and will gladly show you around campus and the wonderful city of Delaware. We know that campus visits are often critical for students to make their college choice, and we expect they are equally helpful to you as you recommend schools for your students to consider. (Students who visit before May 1 of their senior year will receive a $4,000 Campus Visit Award, adding $1,000 each year to other scholarships and financial aid they earn).
Perhaps most exciting about our return to Slocum Hall is the fact that Enrollment is now sharing space with the office most central to our students’ experience: the OWU Connection. The OWU Connection represents the very best of intentional, experiential learning and is now part of the general education for all OWU students. Its components of research, service, travel, and internships are introduced to our students as: Think Big, Do Good, Go Global, and Get Real and the staff coordinating the OWU Connection are here to help each student optimize their experiences.
Finally, if you didn’t already know about these recent updates/enhancements at OWU, I wanted to call your attention to them:
We now offer a Pre-Nursing Program
Our brand new Esports team holds a roster of 61 students in its inaugural competition year
Bradford Milligan Hall, a beautiful new apartment building on campus for upper class students, opened in Fall 2021
We are pleased to be able to offer the “Choose Ohio First” grant - a $5,500 stackable scholarship (10 available) for Ohio residents with a minimum 3.0 GPA, who plan to pursue a major in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Economics, Mathematics). A separate application is required.
We have expanded our Dr. Charles Thomas Scholarship and will offer at least 20 this year. This scholarship covers full demonstrated need (based on the FAFSA) and is awarded to students who work with CBO’s and other college access groups. A separate application is required.