With Gruber’s guidance, Davidson became the first national liberal arts college to eliminate student loans from financial aid packages in the spring of 2007. Starting in the 2007-2008 academic year, the college’s students now have 100 percent of their demonstrated need met entirely through a combination of grants and student employment. Davidson awards merit-based scholarships to nearly 18 percent of its entering class. The college serves around 1,700 students, offering over 850 courses each year. Gruber, who has served in his current position since 2002, received his B.A. in economics in 1985 from the University of Richmond and enjoyed a 20-year career in admissions at his alma mater.