McMurry University Announces Enrollment Increase That Rival Pre-Pandemic Numbers

(Abilene, TX – September 2, 2021) McMurry University is announcing an increase in total student enrollment for the Fall 2021 semester. Reporting a total of 1,155 enrolled students, the University welcomed its largest freshmen class in nine years as well as a strong transfer class of 129 combined full and part-time students. This 4.8% enrollment increase rivals pre-pandemic numbers and sets McMurry back on track to meet its Centennial goals.

“After withstanding a global pandemic that caused a slight enrollment decrease during the 2020-2021 academic year, we are pleased to announce an enrollment increase,” said McMurry University President Sandra S. Harper, PhD. “Our faculty and staff have worked hard over the last year and remained committed to serving the needs of our students and to providing a safe campus during a challenging time. We are delighted to see our diligence and perseverance be rewarded as enrollment success.”

“We are excited to celebrate a banner year for new incoming students and enrollment,” said Grant Greenwood, Vice President for Enrollment Management. Enrolling one of the largest and most diverse new student incoming classes in the past decade, Greenwood credits McMurry’s success as a result of multiple efforts the University implemented in 2020. “We believe that human potential is not singularly defined by the ACT and SAT and as a result, McMurry implemented a Test-Optional admission policy and made a conscious effort to evaluate a student’s potential beyond their test score,” said Greenwood.

Additionally, as COVID persisted, McMurry sought to prioritize affordability for incoming students. The Community Commitment financial aid program promised at least 50% of a student’s tuition would be covered by McMurry if a family member or the student worked in a serviced-based career. Educators, healthcare workers, public servants, non-profit workers, ministers and military service men and women all qualified for the program. “Community Commitment highlights our dedication to servant leadership and service, and is an expression of gratitude for those serving on the front lines and provides an affordable path for many students to obtain a McMurry education. We are looking forward to continuing the Community Commitment in 2021-22 and working towards another banner year in 2022,” said Greenwood.

Matthew Draud, Vice President for Academic Affairs adds, “Growth in McMurry’s newly revised business program in the Walter F. and Virginia Johnson School of Business, and a large increase in the newly energized Theatre program have also contributed to enrollment increases.” Draud also suggests that efforts such as the University’s new online Cybersecurity program, recently added Sustainability and Renewable Resources majors in the sciences, and McMurry’s “continued commitment to student success” in the form of new academic success coaches and the War Hawk Success Center could further advance future enrollment growth.