Merrimack College Statement of Interest to the Northeast Conference Fall 2017
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Merrimack College Statement of Interest to the Northeast Conference Fall 2017 Founded in 1947 by the Order of St. Augustine to educate returning World War II veterans, Merrimack has a total student body of approximately 4,200, from 34 states and 36 countries, who form an engaged community of thinkers and doers in an academic culture of care that emphasizes hands-on learning, global citizenship and a quest for enduring relevance in an ever-changing world. Located just north of Boston, in Andover and North Andover, Massachusetts, Merrimack is enrolling over 950 new undergraduates and 650 graduate students in fall 2017. We proudly take our place as the fifth largest Catholic college in New England. This is a time of expansion and growth for Merrimack College, due to our unique educational model and disciplined business practices. We believe our institutional momentum, market position, long-term growth trend and commitment to athletics will make Merrimack a vibrant, competitive partner in the Northeast Conference. Merrimack has been consistently noted for its success by external media. We were ranked in the top 10 among peer institutions by U.S. News & World Report (Bachelor’s Comprehensive 2012-16), as well as earning the only "up and coming" designation among Regional Colleges North in 2015. In fall 2016, U.S. News moved the College into the “Regional Universities, North” category, where we debuted at 57 out of 187 (and 40th for Best Value), and in 2017, the college’s ranking moved up to 56. The college was named 21st in the country for “Colleges that Add Value” by Money Magazine in 2014. In the first year of President Hopey’s administration, Merrimack’s community came together in a collaborative, strategic planning effort and developed its Agenda for Distinction. This vision for the college’s future established five guiding principles: 1. Create a Modern, Academic Enterprise Grounded in Innovative Teaching, Learning and Scholarship 2. Develop a Contemporary Catholic Mission 3. Create an Intellectually Vibrant, Socially Engaged, Entrepreneurial Student Experience 4. Inspire and Engage our People, Culture and Community 5. Strengthen our Value Proposition and Competitive Position As part of the Agenda for Distinction, the college community shares our goal of becoming an NCAA Division I institution. In the pursuit of this goal, we have sought to align Merrimack with an athletic conference whose membership shares our values and aspirations, and one where Merrimack College would not simply be another member, but help to enhance the standing and stature of the league – we believe this partnership exists with the Northeast Conference. Academically a Master’s: Medium Programs institution in the Carnegie classification, the college offers more than 100 undergraduate programs in liberal arts, science and engineering, health sciences, business and education, and 17 graduate programs in business, criminology, education, engineering, health sciences and public affairs, as well as part-time degree completion and certificate programs. Merrimack has 205 full-time faculty at the start of academic year 2017-2018, an increase of nearly 50% since 2011. Known for a distinctive and personal approach to learning, Merrimack offers our students hands-on opportunities including cooperative education and internships, research with faculty, study abroad and service learning. In addition to traditional majors and minors, students can choose programs tailored for high-demand fields including environmental studies, digital media arts and sports medicine. Unrestricted Operating Revenue $140,000,000 $120,000,000 $100,000,000 $80,000,000 $60,000,000 $40,000,000 $20,000,000 $- FY11 FY12 FY13 FY14 FY15 FY16 FY17 4500 4000 3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0 FY09 FY10 FY11 FY12 FY13 FY14 FY15 FY16 FY17 Graduate Full Time Enrollment Undergraduate Full Time Enrollment The Boston Globe’s front-page story on July 18, 2017, proclaimed “Small private schools are struggling, but Merrimack has found its footing,” highlighting our shift to more professional education as well as strong institutional business practices. The story included praise from Moody’s Investors Services for our financial modeling and planning, following closely upon Moody’s upgrade of Merrimack’s bond outlook to “positive.” Moody’s also announced that Merrimack College was the top small college in the country in terms of percentage increase in operating revenue from FY12 to FY16. Stories in the Boston Business Journal noted that Merrimack’s education model is “paying off” (November 2015) and the college has “got its groove back” (March 2014). 2011: Lawler Rink Enhancements 2015: Hammel Court Floor Replacement 2012-13: Merrimack Athletic Center Expansion 2016: Locker Room Expansions Gallant Rink Construction 2017: Stadium/Field Project Bookstore & Dunkin Donuts New Stadium with Expansive Plans Beyond Nine New Field Sport Locker 8-lane 400m Track Rooms New Synthetic Field New Strength & Conditioning Turf Replacement at Martone-Mejail Field Center Relocation of Softball Field New Athletic Training Room Baseball Field Reconstruction Expanded Coaches Offices Merrimack’s strong momentum is fueled by the reinvestment in itself – our people, our programs and our facilities. Of the $87.5 million invested in capital projects since 2011, athletics represents over $20 million, which is a nearly one-quarter of total capital investments. In addition, our investment in athletic facilities in recent years has produced a renovated Merrimack Athletic Complex, with a second full ice rink; an upgraded strength and conditioning center, new athletic training space and additional locker rooms. The Athletic District opens this fall, with a new multi-sport stadium along with an eight-lane track, updated baseball field and repurposed turf field for softball and soccer. Over the past seven years, the college has added over 50% new faculty, 940,000 square feet of new or renovated space, including over 500 beds, Crowe Hall, and an expanded Athletic District, in addition to the creation of the School of Health Science. The college has completed further renovations to classrooms, dormitories, and common space – all to enhance our value proposition and overall student experience. Our progress has stewarded a renewed institutional pride on our campus, across our alumni and throughout our community. This fall the college launches its new School of Health Sciences, taking its place beside schools of business, liberal arts, science and engineering, and education and social policy. We will also open our first new academic building in three decades, Crowe Hall, home to the Girard School of Business. The ongoing public success of the college’s capital campaign, “Together for Good,” is sharing our excitement and optimism both within the Merrimack community and beyond. Together for Good is designed to continue to build a philanthropic foundation, and fund critical projects and programs that will make a lasting impact on current and future generations of Merrimack scholars. Strategic investments in infrastructure, academic programs, support services, athletics, student experiences, and scholarships will pay dividends for decades to come—both for our students who go on to become ethical leaders and for society as a whole. In less than a year, Merrimack has raised over 75% of its planned $50 million campaign. To compete at the highest level, we are investing in a state-of-the-art Athletic District that will include new fields for varsity programs, a new stadium and track, and facilities for our expanding intramural and club sports programs. These new athletic spaces will support our goal of becoming a Division I institution, help us meet demand from our expanding enrollment, and serve as a resource for the campus, our fans, and the surrounding community. Designed to engage students, develop teamwork and leadership skills, and build confidence, our new Athletic District will also provide space for large-scale on-campus events like Homecoming and Commencement. In addition to Merrimack’s Division I men’s and women’s ice hockey teams, which play in the Hockey East Conference, the college offers 22 other varsity sports. Success has become a way of life for Merrimack Athletics. Men’s Soccer and Field Hockey enter the 2017 season nationally ranked after three consecutive trips to the NCAA Division II Tournament, and our field hockey team is routinely a postseason competitor, making it to the National Championship in 2015. Runner Carly Muscaro was named the 2017 Division II Honda Athlete of the Year and graduated as a six-time National Champion. The men’s lacrosse team advanced to the National Championship game in 2017, while six teams, including men’s basketball, advanced to the NCAA Tournament. The Boston Globe and Boston Herald routinely cover Merrimack Athletics, and our teams have been televised on NESN, CBS Sports Network and ESPN3, among others. Beyond our growing presence in traditional media outlets, our digital and social media investments continue to add value to the institution’s overall brand. Located less than 80 miles from the northern-most point of the Northeast Conference, Merrimack’s Greater Boston location provides enhanced exposure for all NEC members in a media market that is not just the nation’s ninth-largest, but also one that is heavily engaged in athletics. Spanning 2.4 million households through Massachusetts and New Hampshire, the Boston market features four Championship franchises in the Red Sox, Patriots,