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UveraU, students nave changed little in their philosophy of education. Over the years, more than half view college as essential preparation for an occupation.
Between a quarter and a third look to college for the social experience it provides. And between 10 and 20 percent view college as a means of pursuing scholarly knowledge or the artistic expression of ideas and art.
Over the years, JMU freshmen have been very active in high school. Nearly half participated in high school athletics, one-third were active in school and community service, and a quarter were involved in fine arts or academic clubs. Nearly half also held part-time jobs.
Since 1984 the percentage of minority students has risen from 11 percent in 1985 to 15 percent this year. Mr. Menard noted that percentage is higher than similar universities.
Friendship and education have consistently ranked highest as personal values most important to JMU freshmen. Being close to nature consistently ranked last.
Roughly half of all freshman have considered themselves to be middleof-the-road politically, while about a quarter chose a liberal persuasion and a quarter, conservative. This year’s freshman class has slightly more liberal and slightly fewer conservatives in its ranks.
The freshmen come from families where approximately three quarters of fathers, but less than half of mothers, hold college degrees or higher.
One aspect that has changed is student’s personal education goals. In 1986, 65 percent of incoming freshmen intended to pursue their educations beyond the undergraduate level, going on to graduate school or seeking professional degrees. In 1992, that percentage has risen to 81 percent.
Another statistic that Mr. Menard found interesting was how students find out about JMU. Since 1984, between 68 and 75 percent of students found out about JMU from friends and acquaintances, family members and alumni.
“They’re finding out about JMU by word of mouth,” Mr. Menard said. “People who know about it are talking about it.”
88.2%