Summary of 2010 Leadership Council
The news from Council this year confirms that this is an exciting year for the College, and we have much to celebrate. President Klein gave an informative update on Friday night. Here are some of the highlights:
- The College welcomed the largest class of new students in three years in August 2010. Total enrollment is 524 students. Thirty-four percent of the student body is male. Student retention is 78.5% from first year to second year which is the best retention rate in 20 years.
- A revised Davenport Leadership Institute program was launched in June to train 17 students in the principles of leadership, community building, conflict resolution, intercultural understanding, and mentoring and is having a positive impact on the participants as well as other students. The Davenport Leaders were a key part of our three early registration/orientation sessions last summer for first-years and it has helped our new students feel invested in the College.
- The RISE program (Randolph Innovative Student Experience) provides students up to $2,000 in their junior or senior years for a scholarly, creative, or research pursuits.
- The Summer Research Program, involving 20 students and 17 faculty last summer, was very productive and impressive. SUPER (Step Up to Physical Science and Engineering at Randolph), an intensive summer course for entering students, was launched last August. It is a summer transition course in math and science skills for admitted students considering a math or science major.
- The Be An Original marketing campaign was launched in July. Many alumnae, students, and members of the community were interviewed by Atlanta-based marketing firm, MindPower, to help us create this new branding campaign. Council attendees who heard a presentation on the campaign given by Mike Quinn, assistant vice president of marketing and college relations, felt that it speaks about what makes Randolph College unique, including our heritage as Randolph-Macon Woman's College.
- Randolph College's professors ranked in the top 20 in the nation in the latest edition of Princeton Review's popular guidebook, The Best 373 Colleges: 2011 Edition. In addition to earning a spot on the "Professors Get High Marks" top 20 list, Randolph College was also one of 133 schools named a "Best Southeast College" by The Princeton Review. Students quoted in the guide touted Randolph College's rich diversity and academic excellence and said Randolph College offers "a combination of great academics, cultural integrity, individuality, and tradition." As one student explained, "I decided to attend Randolph because I wanted a school that melded fun, wacky traditions, strong academics, small classes with teachers who really get to know you well, a family-like community, and a school that makes you feel at home."
- Nine new full-time faculty have been hired, including four new faculty positions: one each in the Communications department and the Theatre department, and two professors with business experience who will help launch the business major added to the curriculum last year.
- The reading rooms in the Library have been repainted and new carpeting was installed. New furniture and computer connections modernize the space and allow group or individual study.
- Main Hall Lobby was given a fresh look over the summer. The furniture was reupholstered, the walls and trim were painted, and new artwork from the College collection was hung.
- Future renovations to the Student Center (old Main Hall Dining Room and two floors above) have been designed with input from the College community. As currently drawn, the designs include The Skeller on the first floor, recreation space and student activities offices on the second floor, and workout spaces, meeting spaces, and a theatre on the third floor. Donor support commitments for the project, which now total $5 million, have been received. Construction is expected to start next summer.
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Total Giving to the College is up, including a single gift of $2.7million for scholarships
