Campus Corner

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Campus Energized by Beloved Class

As the Beloved Class of 2027 acclimates to its first college semester, campus bustles with students eager to get involved. Asbury celebrates this class as the largest enrollment in decades, with more than 420 new students. Including graduate and online students, Asbury’s all-encompassing enrollment reached about 1,939 students, an increase of nearly 20 percent.

While many outsiders attribute the spike in enrollment to the Outpouring in February, data points to other contributing factors. “I think that what happened in February was helpful for us to just reinforce to people the clarity of ‘this is who we are, and this is who we desire to be,’” said Asbury President Dr. Kevin Brown in an interview with Inside Higher Education on how the Outpouring publicized the University’s Christian values, which is becoming appealing to the upcoming generation.

“What I really think the Outpouring did was solidify the truth we stand on for the prospective students we already had and drew in transfer students who already knew they wanted a Christian education experience,” said Vice President of Enrollment Jennifer McChord on Inside Higher Education. Students in the Beloved Class come from 30 states, with 40 new international enrollments from all continents except Antarctica and Oceania/Australia.

Other Fun Facts About the Beloved Class

Top Six States:

• Kentucky: 219
• Ohio: 29
• Tennessee: 19
• Indiana: 16
• Illinois: 13
• North Carolina: 13

Ages:

• Oldest: 88 years old
• Youngest: 17 years old

About the Students:

• Females: 246
• Males: 176
• Top 4 Female Names:
  • Abigail: 6
  • Anna: 6
  • Hannah: 6
  • Ella: 4
• Top 4 Male Names:
  • Andrew: 7
  • Caleb: 6
  • Jacob: 6
  • Joshua: 5

Donate a scholarship gift in honor of the Beloved Class of 2027

Andrus Family Donates Tractor to Equine Program

On Sept. 16, the Asbury Equine program celebrated a new John Deere tractor, available through the generosity of the Andrus family who honored their father with this creative gift. “This tractor will serve Asbury for years to help continue to grow our program,” said Equine Program Director Harold Rainwater ’69. “This larger and modern tractor will allow us to better care for the land that serves our horses and our students who train them for public service.”

FORGED Program Invests in Youth Ministry Leaders

This semester, Asbury’s Forged youth ministry coaching program invested in adult leaders through discipleship and youth ministry training so that they can excel in their calls to ministry. Forged is a selective two-year training experience for youth leaders designed to teach practical strategies and spiritual disciplines that increase the longevity and effectiveness of Salvation Army ministry leaders.

“One of the most exciting things about this program is that it allows each participant to recognize and address their specific needs within their ministry,” said Forged Director and Asbury professor of pastoral and Christian ministries Dr. Brian Hull.

A dedicated coaching relationship helps participants who are in youth ministry right now have support, encouragement and accountability. The cohort model also allows for a community to develop that supports each other.