Freed-Hardeman reaches milestone in student retention

HENDERSON, Tenn. — A local university celebrates a milestone being accomplished for the first time ever.

“Two of the most exciting times of the year at Freed-Hardeman is ‘Welcome Home,’ when we get to see the new students and they become a part of the family,” said FHU President David Shannon. “But then in May, we have graduation, and we get to see those seniors, that they’ve stayed on course, they’ve had a dream, they have fulfilled the goals and they graduate.”

From Fall 2023, 90% of Freed-Hardeman University students will return to continue their education in Fall 2024. This is the first time for this university to accomplish this goal.

“We are always excited when students come here,” Shannon said. “Our goal is for them to become like family. With that culture, it quickly moves from a transactional relationship to a very real and genuine relationship.”

Aside from building long-lasting relationships, President Shannon says that creating opportunities for students to excel is important.

“We are really excited about or B.S. in Engineering degree that has an emphasis on computer science,” said Shannon. “This is our first engineering degree we offer, and we’ve had a good enrollment this first year, and we look forward to seeing how the engineering program develops.”

According to the university, new student enrollment was up to almost 6%, and graduate school enrollment nearly 5%.

FHU offers their “4 Plus One” program that may help with this increase.

“Often time during their senior year, they will take undergraduate courses as well as graduate courses, which gives them a head start, and then that final year gives them the opportunity to earn their MBA,” Shannon said.

Shannon also applauds students on the Hatchett Investment Team for their work. Recently, the students received another million dollar investment.

“It gives them the opportunity to not only learn in the classroom, but then begin real world experience, so these 10 to 12 students that are selected each year, they actually manage one million dollars. It’s not a simulation, it’s real money,” Shannon said.

FHU also highlights the student body being made up of 39 states and 18 countries, creating a well versed community on campus.

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