Illinois State University held its 149th Commencement ceremonies on May 9 and 10, with President Al Bowman speaking at each ceremony. The College of Applied Science and Technology conferred 843 degrees; College of Arts and Sciences conferred 1,258; College of Business conferred 609; College of Education conferred 577; College of Fine Arts conferred 207; and Mennonite College of Nursing conferred 111. The awarded degree totals include undergraduate and graduate degrees.
The exodus of nearly 3,700 will be replenished by an anticipated freshman class of more than 3,300 and more than 1,700 transfer students. The freshman class is among the most academically talented ever with an average ACT score of 23.9 and average grade point average of 3.35.
Of the incoming freshmen, more than 450 students are African American, Hispanic, Asian American and Native American, a 9 percent increase over fall of 2007.
