November 10, 2025

Dear William Paterson Faculty and Staff,

Tomorrow is Veteran’s Day, when we honor all those of have served in our nation’s military, including many of our own students, faculty, staff, and alumni. One way to thank our veterans for their service is to participate in the flag planting in Zanfino Plazatomorrow at 12 noon. Please click here for additional details on this and other events to mark Veteran’s Day on campus.

I hope to see you this Thursday, November 13, when Vice President for Enrollment Management George Kacenga and Vice President for Finance and Administration Kirsten Loewrigkeit will present the Fall Enrollment & Budget Forum from 12:30-2:00 p.m. in the Library Auditorium. This is an opportunity to get the most current and comprehensive update on our enrollment and overall financial status.

Speaking of enrollment, with WP Online Session II having already started and Census II occurring this Tuesday, overall Fall 2025 enrollment as of Friday stands at 12,633 students. This represents a 6.28% increase over last fall, though enrollment still is 77 students short of the goal. Spring 2026 enrollment currently stands at 6,196 registered students, a 5.12% increase, year-over-year. Spring undergraduate enrollment is 7.7% ahead of last year, while graduate enrollment is 0.10% ahead of last year. Main campus undergraduate continuing student enrollment is 1,982 students, 6.90% ahead of last year. New domestic spring applications are currently 20.45% ahead of last year, with new domestic enrollment pacing 29.78% ahead of last year. New international spring applications trail where we were this time last year by 37.05% due to various pressures in the visa process, so know that, as a result, we have taken a conservative projection for new spring international enrollment. 

Looking ahead to Fall 2026, first-year student applications are up 23.85% year-over-year, and overall applications are up 20.85%. We will host our second Open House of the fall on Saturday, November 22. There are currently 671 students registered for the event, which represents a 36.66% increase over RSVPs at this point last year. We look forward to welcoming these future Pioneers and their families to campus and appreciate everyone who will be here to engage with them and show them our WP spirit.

Another way we display our WP spirit is Fall Giving Day, which is scheduled for Wednesday, November 19. This year, because of the federal government shutdown’s impact on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and the resulting uncertainty for recipients, gifts can be made directly to the Pioneer Pantry Fund, in addition to the many other worthwhile ways to support our students. You can see the full list and make a gift here. Thank you in advance for your support.

This week’s WP: We are Proud – It was wonderful to see more than 325 scholarship donors and student scholarship recipients as we gathered last week at the beautiful Tides Estate in North Haledon for the 27th Annual Scholarship Celebration. Congratulations to Vice President for Institutional Advancement Pam Ferguson for another successful event, one that marked a fitting swan song for her as she prepares to retire next month after 14 years of successful philanthropy leadership. Thanks also to Director of Donor Relations Mariel Read Essner and Donor Relations Coordinator George Hemenetz for organizing a great afternoon, along with everyone in IA who played a part in the event’s success. The fact that it has outgrown our campus venues is a testament to the increase in donors and their growing engagement with William Paterson and their student scholars. Let me again express my gratitude to every scholarship donor – including our many faculty and staff donors – all of whom make an important difference in the lives of our students.

It may be hard to believe, but when my next update message goes out, it will already be Thanksgiving week! Until then, have a great couple of weeks.