Ben Derosa Of Bethel Enrolls At The University Of Utah

Press release from the University of Utah:

October 21, 2020

SALT LAKE CITY, UT (10/20/2020)-- Ben Derosa of Bethel, CT is among the 4,483 students who make up the largest and most diverse freshman class in the University of Utah's history.

Despite nationwide concerns over declining enrollment for institutions of higher education due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the University of Utah saw its largest total enrollment in its 170-year history for the Fall 2020 Semester.

"With many universities across the country seeing declining enrollments this fall, the University of Utah has again proven that we are unique," said Steve Robinson, senior associate vice president for Enrollment Management. "More students chose to enroll at the U than ever before. This reflects both the value of our degrees and the incredible academic opportunities that the flagship of our state offers."

Enrollment of first-time freshman increased 5.5% with 4,484 students, and overall enrollment increased to 33,047-up from 32,818. The number of new transfer students also increased by 9.5% to 1,416. The university also saw a record high in graduate enrollment with 8,404 graduate students this fall.

In addition to the largest freshman class in U history, the class of 2024 is also the most diverse. Students of color represent 31% of the incoming domestic class, and the number of undergraduate females is the largest it has ever been, representing 48% of first-time freshmen. The incoming class represents all 50 U.S. states, 38 countries and 24 Utah counties.

This fall the university also welcomed the first students awarded the For Utah scholarship to campus. Overall, 781 students enrolled at the U after receiving this scholarship which provides for a fully funded path to a degree for students who are Pell-eligible Utah residents. This scholarship creates greater opportunities for students to enroll at the University of Utah by creating new access to a degree from the flagship university of the state.

"We knew that the For Utah scholarship would create incredible opportunities for students from across Utah," Robinson said. "However, we never expected the groundswell of interest and enrollment that the scholarship created in just its first year."

This cohort is also the first to enroll at the U since the institution was selected as a new member of the Association of American Universities-an invitation-only, prestigious group of 65 leading research institutions marked by excellence in academic expertise and research impact, student success and securing resources in support of core missions.

"A University of Utah education is a transformative experience, partnering students with world-class faculty who are committed to expanding human knowledge and solving the world's-and Utah's-most pressing problems," said Dan Reed, senior vice president for Academic Affairs. "We empower our students and our graduates to make a difference, because we are the University of and for Utah."

About the U
The University of Utah, located in Salt Lake City in the foothills of the Wasatch Mountains, is the flagship institution of higher learning in Utah. Founded in 1850, it serves over 32,000 students from across the U.S. and the world. With over 100 major subjects at the undergraduate level and more than 90 major fields of study at the graduate level, including law and medicine, the university prepares students to live and compete in the global workplace. In 2019, the university was selected as a new member of the Association of American Universities-an invitation-only, prestigious group of 65 leading research institutions marked by excellence in academic expertise and research impact, student success, and securing resources in support of core missions. Known for its proximity to seven world-class ski resorts within 40 minutes of campus, the U encourages an active, holistic lifestyle, innovation and collaborative thinking to engage students, faculty, and business leaders.

This press release was produced by the University of Utah. The views expressed here are the author's own.