We're Getting There ...
By Dr. Edward R. D'Alessio, Acting President, Harcum College
Harcum enters the second quarter of 2007 on sound footing. There is much to be happy about on our campus these days. Consider:
- We approached the Spring 2007 Term with a goal of enrolling 590 Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) students. We began the Spring Term with 614 FTEs. That number may well become larger once we complete the tally of students enrolled in our off-campus Community Educatin Partnership program.
- We easily replaced our December graduates. We bid farewell to 36 newly-minted Harcum grads in December 2006, and welcomed 50 new Harcum students in January 2007. Additionally, our residence hall population has remained stable from the Fall to the Spring term.
- Our Receivables are, at long last, coming in line. A year ago at this time there were well over 200 accounts where Harcum was owed $3,000 or more in tuition. Today, there are no students in class who have a balance of $3,000 or more from the Fall 2006 term. This is attributable to better discipline on everyone's part in managing budgets, and the enhanced use of technology to bring unpaid balances up-to-date.
- We are investigating new degree programs in ultrasound, certificate programs in mammography, and expanding the size of our existing degree programs in virtually all fields, but particularly in Veterinary Technology, Dental, and Business.
Indeed we are slowly becoming better at the business of running Harcum, and that is good for all of us.
On a less business-oriented note, I am happy to point out that our men's and women's basketball teams are coming to the conclusion of successful seasons. The men's team as of February 19 stood first in their Region with a 27 - 2 overall record. The "Lady Bears" are 23 - 2, and both teams are looking forward with great anticipation to the National Junior College Athletic Association's own version of "March Madness."
As we move into the Spring and conclusion of the semester, we can all look forward to that day in May when we gather for our 91st Commencement. It's been a good year, and I thank you all for being a part of it.
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