Last month, Covenant College welcomed its largest-ever freshman class when 351 new students arrived for the fall semester. The class of 2029 represents the third consecutive year of enrollment growth for the PCA’s official college. One significant factor in the increase is the growing number of students from PCA congregations choosing to enroll at the four-year liberal arts college.
“Numbers are certainly nice to celebrate, but what is most exciting is that families are drawn to our mission to explore and express the preeminence of Jesus Christ in all things,” said Covenant President Brad Voyles. “I am incredibly grateful to the Lord for his gracious provision of this record-breaking class. I want to thank our admissions and marketing teams and our coaches for their focused efforts and excellence in recruiting.”
The college is also celebrating one of the nation’s highest retention rates for returning students, with a 91.7% overall retention rate and 88.2% freshman retention rate from the previous academic year, also the highest in the college’s history. The student body is composed of students from 42 states and 21 countries. Covenant modified its campus housing over the summer to accommodate the surge in new students.
“Welcoming the largest freshman class in Covenant’s history is an answer to many prayers and a beautiful opportunity to celebrate God’s faithfulness to our community,” said Stephanie Formenti, vice president for student development and dean of students. “It is a gift to welcome new students and their families, and I am excited to lock arms with them as we pursue Christ together.”
While a record number of students are enrolling at Covenant, the school’s faculty members continue to earn recognition in their disciplines. The Intercollegiate Studies Institute recently recognized Philip Bunn as “one of the best and brightest in the tradition of liberty.” Named as one of their Top Twenty Under Thirty Award Winners, the political science professor now joins a list of award recipients, which includes U.S. Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch.
The college also recently welcomed Ned Bustard as artist-in-residence and visiting professor of art and graphic design. The award-winning children’s book illustrator, graphic designer, author, and printmaker is known by many for his work illustrating the “Every Moment Holy” series. Bustard serves as a ruling elder at Wheatland Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.