Bethel College’s new vice president of enrollment says he’s excited about the challenges small private colleges face in recruiting students in a tough economy.
Todd Moore began Sept. 14 in the position, replacing Lori Livengood, who stepped into the admissions office in an interim role from March to September while continuing to serve as vice president of marketing and communications.
Bethel’s overall enrollment for fall 2009 is 437.
Ninety-two new students on campus this fall are first-time freshmen and 49 are transfers.
While the overall numbers are lower than hoped, Moore said, “the quality of the class academically is as strong as any at Bethel in the last decade, maybe ever.
“More than a third were in the top 10 percent of their high school class,” Moore said. “I doubt there’s another school that could say that.”
Bethel’s class of 2013 includes 15 valedictorians and two salutatorians.
“We’re excited to inherit a strong class,” Moore said. “We’re getting quality students (academically) — we just need more of them.”
Unlike the last several people who served as Bethel’s vice president of enrollment, Moore comes to the position with previous experience in enrollment and admissions.
He has a bachelor’s degree from Phillips University, Enid, Okla., where, immediately after graduation, he served three years as admissions counselor and associate dean of admissions before going on to Central Missouri State University, Warrensburg, for his master’s degree.
Since then, Moore has worked in the admissions offices at Benedictine College, Atchison (1991-94); Saint Mary College, Leavenworth (1994-96 and 2000-02); Avila College, Kansas City, Mo. (1996-2000) and Southwestern College, Winfield (2002-08).
He was director of admissions at Saint Mary, Avila and Southwestern.
Immediately before coming to Bethel, Moore was a gift officer in the Office of Advancement at Southwestern.
One of Moore’s first responsibilities at Bethel has been to hire two new admissions counselors.
He recently announced the appointment of Kristin Larson-Jantzi of Newton, a former Bethel student who is married to assistant men’s soccer coach Adam Jantzi.
Moore expects to announce the second appointment soon.
He also plans to “go back and review the basics” in the Office of Admissions, he says — for example, “how we do campus visits and financial aid, among other things.
“There’s an upside to having done this at other colleges,” he said. “I can bring a fresh perspective.”
In addition, he will be looking at staff reorganization, he says.
