For the 2000-2001 fiscal year (ending June 30), the annual fund reached $7,705,991, an all-time record. Within the overall annual fund, the portion designated for annual budget support also set a record at $2,201,094. 43.16% of the alumni contributed to the annual fund, up from 39.88% the previous year.

The opening enrollment is 1026 (eight of whom are abroad): exceeding 1000 the first time in Hampden-Sydney College’s 227- year history. The total enrollment includes a freshman class of 329, another record. The freshmen class includes 54 honors scholars, yet another milestone. The increased enrollment reflects two important factors: an increase in the size of the freshman class and an improvement in the retention rate for retuning students.

Dr. Walter M. Bortz III, President of Hampden-Sydney College, attributes the increase in the size of the freshman class to a strong recruiting effort. Additional recruiting staff has been added to the admissions office and, this year, the College will expand geographically its recruiting efforts by attending 14 national college fairs*. The improved retention rate is the result of a concerted effort begun over ten years ago both to study and to address attrition, which has become a concern at most colleges, public and private, large and small.

According to Dr. Bortz, "I am enormously pleased with these accomplishments. They represent hard work by members the College faculty and staff and the involvement, support, and generosity of the entire Hampden-Sydney family."

*National College Fair locations:
February 21-22, 2002 Pittsburgh, PA
March 10 New Orleans, LA
March 10-11 Springfield, MA
March 17 Charlotte, NC
April 2-3 Hartford, CT
April 7 Memphis, TN
April 28 Nashville, TN