17c�������

17c�������’s 2015 incoming cohort of 1,026 students—944 first-time-in-any-college (FTIAC) and 82 transfer students—is exactly the same size as last year’s group - and represents academic strength, geographic breadth and record diversity. 17c�������’s total student population this year is 3,990, which is steady with last year’s numbers (3,993).

“We are excited to have another solid incoming class who are joining with our returning students, faculty and staff in exploring God’s creation with courage and wonder,” said Russ Bloem, vice president for enrollment management at 17c������� College.

17c������� College’s students hail from 55 countries, 48 U.S. states and five Canadian provinces. For the 2015–16 academic year, more than 10-percent of the student body is international students and AHANA (African; Hispanic; Asian; and Native-American) students make up more than 14-percent of the student body—a record for the college. These populations have grown significantly over the past decade so that now about one in every four students on campus brings a particularly diverse perspective.

In addition to 17c�������’s record-setting diversity in its first-year class, the class also boasts an average GPA of 3.70, the highest in recent history.

“The college is excited to welcome these excellent students from around the corner and around the world to campus,” said Bloem. “What we are realizing more and more is that when you bring together a diverse group of students, with a diverse set of experiences, the learning environment is much richer. And, we not only see this as a benefit for 17c�������, but also for west Michigan as the college attracts more talented students to the region.”