University of Missouri enrollment holds steady, with increase in number of freshmen

Roger McKinney, Columbia Daily Tribune
·2 min read
Kari Wichmann, freshman marketing student from Minnesota, studies on Francis Quadrangle on her first day of classes at the University of Missouri.
Kari Wichmann, freshman marketing student from Minnesota, studies on Francis Quadrangle on her first day of classes at the University of Missouri.

The University of Missouri campus was abuzz with activity on Monday as students began classes for the fall semester.

Students moved into residence halls last week.

There were more than 5,000 new freshmen on campus Monday, according to MU. That's a 2.7% increase from last year's first day. Preliminary numbers show undergraduate enrollment was up slightly, with 23,571 students. Overall enrollment held steady.

"Students and families continue to recognize the value of a degree from MU and the incredible student experience we offer," said Mun Choi, MU chancellor and UM System president, in a news release. "From our outstanding academics to innovative research to our premier athletics, Mizzou students have an unparalleled college experience."

More: In a frenzy of activity, freshman University of Missouri students move into dorms

Almost nine in 10 students who began as freshmen last year returned as sophomores, preliminary numbers indicate.

Samantha Walker, a junior broadcast journalism major from Joplin, was ready to get into what she termed "heavy-duty" courses for her third year.

"I feel really, really good," Walker said. "I'm glad to be back at Mizzou."

Samantha Walker, of Joplin, is a junior broadcast journalism student at the University of Missouri.
Samantha Walker, of Joplin, is a junior broadcast journalism student at the University of Missouri.

She completed a summer fellowship in the Reynolds Journalism Institute, she said.

"The reason I chose Mizzou is because it offers so much real-world experience, especially for journalism students," Walker said.

It was Kari Wichmann's first-ever day of classes at MU. A freshman from Minnesota, Wichmann is an 18-year-old marketing major, with a minor in Spanish.

She was studying on the Francis Quadrangle.

"I'm really excited," Wichmann said. "I love the campus."

She was asked what she expected from her university education long-term.

"I hope to establish lifelong friendships," Wichmann said.

She also hopes to develop the marketing skills that allow her to be a manager or entrepreneur one day, she said.

Another first-year student on Monday was Gabe Evers, 18, of Union. He's majoring in music composition. He also was working on his laptop on campus.

Gabe Evers, 18, of Union, prepares on campus before his first day of classes at the University of Missouri. He's a freshman music composition student.
Gabe Evers, 18, of Union, prepares on campus before his first day of classes at the University of Missouri. He's a freshman music composition student.

"I feel pretty good," Evers said. "I think it's going to go well. I've done what I can to prepare and I'm ready."

He also was asked about long-term expectations from the university.

"I want to increase my skills as a composer, so I can someday compose film scores," Evers said.

He also wants to learn to play a larger variety of instruments, he said.

Evers said he likes the still-new Jeanne and Rex Sinquefield Music Center, which opened in 2020.

Nursing students on Monday had their first look at the new Sinclair School of Nursing building.

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: MU enrollment holds steady, with increase in number of freshmen