Carson-Newman announces largest ever freshman class

^{Carson-Newman University President and First Lady Charles A. and Sandra Fowler, faculty and staff lead the 2019 freshman class and their families on a prayer walk through campus Aug. 24.}

(Sept. 11, 2019) JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. — Carson-Newman University is welcoming the largest freshman class in the institution’s history, with 557 freshmen.

Moreover, this is the highest enrollment in Carson-Newman’s 168-year history. The University announced that a total of 2,725 students have enrolled for the fall semester.

This fall also marks a record graduate class at 885 students.

“This fall’s record enrollment affirms the vital role of a Christ-centered, liberal arts-based institution in our region,” said University President Charles A. Fowler. “We are delighted to welcome these new students to our Carson-Newman family. Our desire is to help them discover God’s plan for their lives and to equip them to experience it.”

Notably, this year’s freshman class also carries a higher average GPA than freshman classes for the past five years.

The last record freshman class size was in 1980 with 516 freshmen students.

The previous total enrollment record year came in 2016, when the University celebrated a record total enrollment of 2,659 students, and a record graduate enrollment of 847 students.

Since 2010, the University has seen a 40% increase in total enrollment.

Founded in 1851, Carson-Newman is a Christian liberal arts-based university affiliated with the Tennessee Baptist Convention. The University is located in Jefferson City, Tennessee, among the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains and has over 2,700 students. Carson-Newman offers 50 undergraduate majors, as well as associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees.