Riverside, Calif., October, 2000-- Fresh faced students from Riverside, the nearby Los Angeles and Loma Linda areas, many American states, Europe, the Caribbean, Africa, Russia, Taiwan, Middle Eastern countries, Korea, Japan, and other nations have increased the number of full time students at La Sierra University by 16 percent over 1999 figures. Total enrollment is 1,468.

Three hundred twenty-six freshman, 91 more than last year, and 232 new transfer students joined 613 returning students, according to Gene Edelbach, vice president for Enrollment Services. The graduate schools, the adult degree program, and part-time students contributed about 200 new and returning students to the total enrollment.

Mr. Edelbach works in approximately 45 target markets. "We experienced growth in almost every market," he said. He identified the largest growth markets as: Arizona and Southern California public high schools, local community colleges, Central and Southern California Seventh-day Adventist academies, Hispanic Adventist students, Adventist college transfers, and Taiwan and the Caribbean islands.

Not only are there more new faces on the La Sierra campus (in fact, almost half of the student population), but the returning students have a much more positive attitude about their university than they did in the summer of 1999, according to Mr. Edelbach, who cited a recent telephone survey. "Another good year and continued improvement should allow us at least the same growth next year as we have obtained this year," he said.

Students listed positive factors influencing their choice of La Sierra University. The list included remodeled residence halls, early and extensive involvement by academic departments, happier returning students, and a much improved reputation as a spiritually-based university.

Mr. Edelbach praised the work of University faculty and staff: "I thank all of you who have not only worked so hard, but also concerned yourself with growing La Sierra University, focusing on LSU’s future and mission, and exhibiting prayerful concern. God has blessed our hard work and prayers."

Both women’s and men’s residence halls have experienced a sharp surge in residents, and the serving line for the dining commons is longer than in past years, visible indicators that more students have chosen to live on campus this year. University administrators have been overheard remarking excitedly on the student attendance at University Worship each Thursday: "The students filled the sanctuary and the transepts, and even the balconies!"

"Because we are so enrollment-dependant for our annual budget, this year's marked increase in student numbers is certainly a welcome change from the last couple of years," said Larry Geraty, University president. "It is also evidence that the University has 'turned the corner' on several challenges it was facing. Credit goes primarily to our capable recruitment team but such success has been a team effort in which administration building staff, student life staff including spiritual-life personnel, and especially teaching faculty have all played key roles. We recognize also the blessing of God and thank Him for it. Let the word go out: La Sierra University is on a roll!"

The Class of 2004

Each year the staff at Beloit College in Wisconsin puts together a list to try to give the faculty a sense of the mindset of that year's incoming freshmen. Here is this year's list...

1. The people who are starting college this fall across the nation were born in 1982.
2. They have no meaningful recollection of the Reagan Era and probably did not know he had ever been shot.
3. They were prepubescent when the Persian Gulf War was waged.
4. Black Monday 1987 is as significant to them as the Great Depression.
5. There has been only one Pope.
6. They were 11 when the Soviet Union broke apart and do not remember the Cold War.
7. They have never feared a nuclear war.
8. They are too young to remember the space shuttle blowing up.
9. Tianamen Square means nothing to them.
10. Their lifetime has always included AIDS.
11. Bottle caps have always been screw off and plastic.
12. Atari predates them, as do vinyl albums.
13. The expression "you sound like a broken record" means nothing to them.
14. They have never owned a record player.
15. They have likely never played Pac Man and have never heard of Ping-Pong.
16. They may have never heard of an 8-track.
17. The Compact Disc was introduced when they were 1 year old.
18. As far as they know, stamps have always cost about 33 cents.
19. They have always had an answering machine.
20. Most have never seen a TV set with only 13 channels, nor have they seen a black and white TV.
21. They have always had cable TV.
22. There has always been VCRs, but they have no idea what BETA is.
23. They cannot fathom not having a remote control.
24. They were born the year that the Walkman was introduced by Sony.
25. Roller-skating has always meant inline for them.
26. Jay Leno has always been on the Tonight Show.
27. They have no idea when or why Jordache jeans were cool.
28. Popcorn has always been cooked in the microwave.
29. They have never seen Larry Bird play.
30. They never took a swim and thought about Jaws.
31. The Vietnam War is as ancient history to them as WWI, WWII and the Civil War.
32. They have no idea that Americans were ever held hostage in Iran.
33. They can't imagine what hard contact lenses are.
34. They don't know who Mork was or where he was from.
35. They never heard: "Where's the beef?" "I'd walked a mile for a Camel," or "de plane, de plane."
36. They do not care who shot JR, and have no idea who JR is.
37. The Titanic was found? They thought we always knew where it was.
38. Michael Jackson has always been white.
39. Kansas, Chicago, Boston, America, and Alabama are places, not groups.
40. McDonalds never came in Styrofoam containers.
41. There has always been MTV.
42. They don't have a clue how to use a typewriter.

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