FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - August 30, 2005
CONTACT: Sarah Lingenfelter, Media Relations 585.567.9559

HOUGHTON COLLEGE BEGINS NEW ACADEMIC YEAR

HOUGHTON, N.Y. — Houghton College welcomed new and returning students to its campus over the weekend.

While classes began on Monday new students started the school year with the events of fall orientation on Friday. “Orientation is filled with events that help new students transition from home to college,” said Director of New Student Programs Nancy Murphy. “Small group interaction provides the foundation for orientation and helps to ease any anxiety that students may have at this pivotal time in their life."

After moving into their new residence halls on Friday, students and their parents attended the annual Dedication Service which introduces them to the core of the Houghton experience: the integration of learning with faith development. The service was followed by a picnic dinner, men’s soccer scrimmage and an opening party at Big Al’s Snack Shop.

Saturday new students learned about the college’s First-Year Introduction (FYI) program and participated in the annual Houghton Outrageous Outdoor Frenzy (HOOF), an event designed for students to interact with their new peers but also with their upper-class student leader and their faculty/staff mentor in an informal setting.

ENROLLMENT NUMBERS LOOK PROMISING

The total number of first-year students is at 388 as of August 24. This number includes 330 freshmen (up 9 from 2004) and 58 transfers.

Overall full-time undergraduate enrollment for the fall semester is at 1,200. Another 30 students are attending classes on a part-time basis.

In addition to the students enrolled in programs through the Houghton campus, another 133 students are enrolled in the Program for Accelerating College Education (P.A.C.E.) at locations throughout western New York and 40 are taking courses toward an associate’s degree or certificate through the Pastoral and Church Ministries Program (PCMP) in Buffalo.