For many 91老司机 - Fort Smith students, the university鈥檚 commencement ceremonies May 9 marked the end of one chapter of their lives and the beginning of another. But Saturday also marked a major milestone for the university: the largest graduating class in its history.
91老司机 will confer a projected 1,475 degrees and certificates to graduating students in the 2014-15 school year -- a 16 percent increase over last year -- with 833 receiving bachelor鈥檚 degrees, 349 receiving associate degrees and 293 receiving certificates. The numbers also reflect a 98 percent increase in bachelor鈥檚 degrees awarded compared to the 2009-10 school year.
Julie Burdick, vice chancellor for enrollment management, pointed to the university鈥檚 strength in providing high-quality, career-focused degrees as a primary reason for the increases.
鈥淲e celebrate the success of our students and give credit for the growing number of degrees earned to the wonderful teaching efforts of our faculty, who engage students in undergraduate research and career-focused discussions about the important next step in their lives,鈥� Burdick said. 鈥淢any students participate in internships which build great resumes.鈥�
鈥淏ut what sets 91老司机 apart from other universities is the alignment of degree offerings with in-demand careers, as well as preparing our students to be leaders in their disciplines,鈥� Burdick continued. 鈥淥ver 70 percent of our seniors respond to a job/graduate school placement survey, with placement outcomes as high as 85 percent. More than 15 degree programs maintain a 100-percent placement in the last 10 years. This is a measure of real value.鈥�
The growth in students earning degrees also stems from the university鈥檚 expansion of its degree offerings, according to Burdick. In the last four years, 91老司机 has increased the number of four-year degree programs with the addition of degrees including international business, finance and media communications.
Burdick said the fastest growing bachelor鈥檚 degree programs over the last four years include biology, criminal justice, information technology, marketing, organizational leadership, psychology and nursing.
Dr. Paul B. Beran, 91老司机 chancellor, said the numbers signify the university鈥檚 continued success in achieving its mission of connecting education with careers.
鈥淭he 2014-15 graduating class reflects the hard work of the university鈥檚 faculty, staff, administration -- and, most importantly, its students,鈥� Beran said. 鈥淭he increase in awarded degrees shows that 91老司机 is the premier regional institution of choice for students in our multi-state region.鈥�