[2 August 2004]
Academic Year 2004 Welcomes SMU’s Largest Intake of Students

Professor Howard O. Hunter assumes leadership as SMU President

Singapore Management University (SMU)’s Convocation Ceremony welcomes the incoming of its fifth batch of freshmen. To be held on 14 August, the intake of 1,103 Students is SMU’s largest to date and includes the pioneer batch of 80 Bachelor of Social Science students. The university is also attracting more international students, an increase of 10% over last year.

This year, the average SAT I score of the intake stands at 1300 - comparable to most top public universities in the United States. One in two A-Level students achieved grades of ABB and higher; and one in five achieved grades of AAA and higher.

The Convocation Ceremony will also witness the symbolic handover of leadership from Prof. Ronald Frank to incoming President, Prof. Howard O. Hunter, former Provost at the distinguished Emory University. Prof. Hunter will officially take office on 1 September 2004.

Said Prof. Frank, President, SMU, “We are pleased that with each year, SMU is attracting better qualified and talented students. Our students not only excel academically but are also leaders and champions in their own right. We have among us, a member of Singapore’s Olympic team as well as two members of the Singapore national water polo team. We would like to extend a warm welcome not only to our freshmen of 2004 but also to Prof Howard Hunter, SMU's new President. This new academic year marks the start of an important transition period as the university prepares for the move to the permanent campus at Bras Basah and we are glad to have Howard at the helm to steer SMU towards greater heights.”

This year’s orientation programme involving all freshmen and a four-day Leadership & Team-Building Camp at SMU's Bukit Timah Campus was led by 100 senior student facilitators and supported by 80 student helpers. As part of the orientation programme, SMU has also invited its freshmen to begin the academic year with community service. Having a student-led orientation programme and encouraging students to participate in community outreach activities are part of SMU’s continuing efforts to foster greater camaraderie amongst the freshmen and the SMU community to instill the sense of leadership and social responsibility in its students.