Senior Justin Hite settles in his chapel seat against the back wall in the Benson. Since space was limited in the auditorium this year, folding chairs were set up along the back wall for students to sit. HARDING EXPERIENCES RECORD enro Harding experienced record enrollment again in 2001, topping 5,000 students for the first time in university history. "The growth is particularly in the education and business graduate programs," president David Burks said. "We have a new graduate professional center in North Little Rock with more than 300 students enrolled this fall, and our [Searcy] education programs continue to grow as well." Burks said the administration, along with the admissions office, has targeted a three percent growth rate at the undergraduate level. "When it gets beyond that," he said, "we cut it off." Mike Williams, assistant vice president for admissions and student financial services, complies with the university's enrollment strategy, but he says that it's a difficult decision. "This year we've bumped up our academic requirements, somewhat narrowing the funnel at the bottom," Williams said. "I'm struggling with that because I always ask myself the same ment ;-.;:::...~~~~~~~- TOPP ING 5,000 STUDENTS questions. Who do I not want to come? Who do I not want to have this experience?" Williams and Burks share the sentiment that the larger Harding's enrollment gets, the greater the risk of losing the family-like atmosphere that currently exists on campus. "The current rate of growth has been manageable because we are able to keep class sizes down by adding new faculty and larger facilities," Burks said. "But as the numbers get higher, we definitely risk losing the appearance of our closeknit family atmosphere." With enrollment numbers on the rise year after year, student and faculty question if an enrollment cap will be enforced in the near future. "This issue has been discussed since I was a student here," Burks said. "It was discussed when we hit 1,000 students, and there was serious discussion that we should never let it get past that number. It's been discussed to some degree ever since. The one thing I can promise is this: It will surely continue to be discussed." -Jeff McKeand Lauren Honea--Germantown, Tenn. Robyn Hopkins-Vinita, Okla. Melissa Hopman-Mt. Airy, .c. Clint Howard-Sheridan, Ark. Daniel Hudgeons-Conway, Ark. Jamie Hughes-Dierks, Ark. Deidre Hulvey-Trenton, Ga. Justin Hunton-Leesburg, Fla. Sally Hurd-Searcy, Ark. Daniel Hutcherson-Memphis, Tenn. Jenni Iliff-Libby, Mont. Angela Jackson-Paragould, Ark. Anna Jackson-Montevallo, Ala. Josh Jackson-Lewisville, Texas Justin Jamerson-Bartlett, Tenn. Brittany Jamison-Nashville, Ark. Jon Jensen-Lewisville, Texas Brian Johns-Nashville, Tenn. Jennifer Johns-Paragould, Ark. Brynn Johnson-Many, La. sophomores 85
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