Flint: Car Town to College Town

http://www.umflint.edu/about_flint.htm

The rumors are true: Flint is transforming into a real College Town. The city has more college students than the communities home to Princeton and Yale universities combined. Around 25,000 college students are currently enrolled among Flint's four main institutions of higher learning.

In 2008, the University of Michigan-Flint opened the first residence hall in the institutions fifty-year history. According to Sheri Hawkins, whose daughter Divina was one of the pioneering students to live on campus last year, Divina views all of her college experiences as participation in something bigger than herself. Flint is changing from a car town to a college town. As a UM-Flint student, she not only has the opportunity to witness this bold transformation firsthand, but to take an active role.

Building upon the First Street Residence Halls overwhelmingly successful first year, another 300 students have filled the state-of-the-art living/learning facility again this year. In addition, a private development and management group has begun refurbishing the former Hyatt Regency Hotel across Saginaw Street from UM-Flints University Pavilion. Though not affiliated with the university in an official capacity, the new Riverfront Residence Hall welcomed nearly 200 UM-Flint students this fall, and plans to have space available for upwards of 500 students from all of Flints institutions of higher learning when the project in completed.

With more and more college students choosing to live on or near campus, the Flint community has responded by providing this growing population with the services and amenities college students expect. New restaurants, entertainment venues, retail shops, and loft apartments fill historic downtown buildings refurbished to meet students needs.

With over one-hundred undergraduate majors in many of the worlds fastest-growing fields including healthcare, journalism, education, and international business UM-Flints commitment to academic excellence and advancing the meaning of a Michigan Degree remain its top priority and strongest draw. However, it is hard to deny the impact the recent College Town changes are having on the institution. In 2008, the university enjoyed its highest enrollment ever. There is a genuine feeling among students, staff, and faculty alike that those who embrace Flint's transformation as an opportunity to apply their learning and participate in real change may find the experience to be the most meaningful education of all.

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