News Release

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August 17, 2005

Kustra Announces Best Freshman Class Ever At State of The University Address

Boise State University projects a statewide fall enrollment record for the ninth straight year and its best freshman class ever when classes begin next Monday, announced President Bob Kustra at his State of the University address Wednesday in the Student Union Building. A transcript of the address is available by clicking here.

Boise State is on track to meet its 2 percent increase in fall semester enrollment, which would mean about 18,600 students. The official census occurs on the 10th day of classes when the state’s institutions of higher education are required to report enrollment numbers to the State Board of Education. Last year, Boise State enrolled 18,456 students, marking a 14 percent increase in headcount since 2000.

This year’s incoming freshmen class appears to be the highest academically qualified in school history. The number of students with a high school grade point average above 3.5 has increased by 16 percent. The number of students scoring in the top 10 percent of the ACT or SAT increased 17 percent. Five National Merit Scholars are expected to enroll. Boise State also forecasts a 15 percent increase in minority students.

“These improvements in our student profile are not accidental,” Kustra said. “First, they are the result of a strategy put in place by our enrollment management team to attract highly motivated students. Second, the accomplishments of our faculty, our students and our staff all send signals across the land that Boise State stands for academic quality. Third, we have focused our communications and marketing efforts to reach more prospective students and impress upon them the academic quality of our programs.”

The record student enrollment was only part of Boise State’s “triple crown” of accomplishments. Boise State is coming off a record-breaking year in 2004-05 for fundraising at $18.9 million and externally sponsored research grants and programs at $24.2 million. He also tipped his hat to head football coach Dan Hawkins and the Bronco program for being ranked in the top 20 by a major preseason poll for the first time in school history.

Kustra, who is beginning his third year as Boise State’s president, particularly focused his remarks on the science and engineering fields and said that the university “must align its academic priorities with the economic base of the city and state.” The growth in degree offerings, especially at the graduate level, has been driven by Boise’s robust high tech economy the last few years, he said. In addition to an existing doctorate degree in geophysics, Boise State has plans for new doctorates in electrical and computer engineering, geosciences and biomolecular sciences.

Boise State’s growing research agenda in science and engineering has resulted in 90 percent of the university’s research funding and afforded students the opportunity to engage in laboratory investigation, he said. “When you factor in the demands of our high tech economy to produce highly skilled graduates, a persuasive argument can be made for a strong science and engineering emphasis that could lead to Boise State developing significant expertise and reputation across the West,” Kustra said.

At the convocation of staff and faculty, Kustra addressed Boise State’s progress toward becoming a metropolitan research university. He outlined the research agendas of several faculty to understand the connection between the university and the community. “In so many cases, their research plays a role in improving the quality of life here in Idaho, and thereby, brings definition to Boise State as a metropolitan university.” Examples included:

  • A creative communities conference organized in Boise last year by professor Nancy Napier for the Treasure Valley business community
  • A proposed Center for Economic and Business Research where professors John Church and Don Holley will provide annual forecasts and quarterly updates
  • The research of Elaine Long, Ed Baker, Dale Stephenson and Uwe Reischl on the health care challenges in Idaho
  • The annual Public Policy Survey, a statewide survey of Idahoans to identify public policy concerns and widely read by public officials and concerned citizens
  • A partnership between the department of anthropology and Canyon County’s Celebration Park, Idaho’s only archaeological park
  • A growing list of research centers, including the Center for Idaho History and Politics, the Institute for Urban and Regional Planning and the Energy Policy Institute.
  • Establishment of the National Writing Project by professor Jeffrey Wilhelm for teacher improvement in history
  • A yearlong study by professor Phil Kelly that identifies the mismatch between children counted in the census population and children counted at school
  • Work by professors Ron Pfeiffer and Michelle Sabick for the Center for Biomechanics Research on ACL injuries in female athletes
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    Following the State of the University address, individual college-wide meetings were scheduled and then a lunch for all faculty and staff. The first day of classes for the fall 2005 semester is Aug. 22. The residence halls open at noon on Aug. 19.

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    Media Contact: Frank Zang, University Communications, (208) 426-5391, frankzang@boisestate.edu


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    Last reviewed on Thursday, December 22, 2005