EMU 2005 freshman class is best academically in school history

There is good news and great news as far as Eastern Michigan University enrollment for 2005 is concerned.

The good news is that every new student category saw an increase for fall 2005. The great news is that with the increase in the number of students, there also is an increase in the academic quality of students.

THEY'RE GREAT: Some of this year's freshman class at Eastern Michigan University make their way to a picnic during orientation. This year's freshmen are considered the best academically in the history of EMU.

"This is the best freshman class we have ever had academically," said Courtney McAnuff, vice president for enrollment services at EMU.

McAnuff said that there was a 17-percent increase in the freshman students with a grade point average of 3.0 or better and a reduction in the number of students below 3.0. There also are 62 high school valedictorians with GPAs of 4.0 or better, said McAnuff.

McAnuff said the reason for the increase in the academic quality wasn't accidental.

"We put together an aggressive campaign to go after them," McAnuff said.

Another history-making moment for the University had to do with an increase in applications.

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