State of the College January 2008

Business and Development Affairs Campus Growth Academic and Student Affairs

Business and Development Affairs Carthage is in its twentieth consecutive year of operating with a budget surplus. During the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2007, the College’s total net assets increased by 17.6% to a sum of $110.5 million.

Business and Development Affairs In late 2007, the market value of the endowment reached $50 million for the first time in Carthage history. The endowment will continue to fluctuate with the markets. During the last fiscal year, the total return on endowment investments was 18.43%

Business and Development Affairs In the $165 million Celebrating Carthage fund-raising initiative, the College now has passed the $123 million mark. During fiscal year 2006-2007, Carthage received $6.4 million in cash and cash-equivalent gifts, not counting pledges and longer-term commitments.

Campus Growth The Oaks student residential village continues to rise on the south campus. The second building opened in summer 2007; the third building will be finished in spring 2008; and construction of the fourth will begin in spring 2008. Each building houses 78 students, and costs approximately $7 million. The Joan C. Potente Chapel was dedicated on the south campus at Homecoming 2007. Reflecting a Roman Catholic influence, it joins Siebert Chapel and the Walter Fritsch Meditation Chapel in supporting religious life programs on campus.

Campus Growth The $13 million renovation of the Physical Education Center begins in March and should be finished by December. The “Tarble Arena” will emerge as a 2,500-seat performance arena with contemporary accoutrements. The next stages of campus development in 2009-2010 will include the creation of the W. A. Seidemann Student Center and the concluding work in the progressive renovation of Art Keller Field.

Campus Growth Thereafter, construction of a new performing arts center and renovation of a new academic wing for the natural sciences in the Straz Center will conclude the currently planned wave of campus development.

Academic and Student Affairs Carthage has another record enrollment with 2,234 full-time students, and a grand total of approximately 2,900 including the Adult Education Program. For the freshman class that entered in September 2007, Carthage received almost 4,700 applications for the 690 positions available. Applications for next year’s class probably will exceed 5,000 for the first time ever.

Academic and Student Affairs The process of upgrading academic opportunities for Carthage students continues. In the past three years, the faculty has grown from 115 to 125 and now to 138. The College will move to a 14:1 student:faculty ratio over the next few years, a goal which would take the total faculty beyond 150. The co-curriculum offers a broader and more diverse range of student activities than ever before. Opportunities in athletics and the arts continue to expand. A wide range of student organizations and service opportunities helps fulfill the promise of a residential college experience.

Opportunities and Challenges In virtually every respect, Carthage is stronger than ever before. The College continues to strengthen year by year. The years of campus development need to continue into the early 2010s. Then, renewed emphasis should be concentrated on the building of the endowment. Twenty years from now, the endowment could be five times the size it now is.

Opportunities and Challenges After a number of years with little change among the Officers of the College, Carthage is undertaking searches for new leadership in vital areas. That process is a crucially important endeavor.