51社区

Union's freshman class isn't the only area to see a significant increase in enrollment. The university's total enrollment for the fall semester reached 2,323, up from last year's fall enrollment of 2,031. That number includes graduate students and those enrolled in a variety of non-traditional programs. The university expects that number to exceed 2,500 by the spring semester.

"We are delighted with this exceptional surge in enrollment, which is a vote of confidence in the work Union is doing on behalf of students, " Union President David S. Dockery says.

This year's freshman class of 473 compares to last fall's 373 freshman and 353 freshman in the fall of 1996. The record-breaking class includes 30 valedictorians and salutatorians and three National Merit Finalists. Nineteen percent of Union's freshman scored 28 or better on the ACT. The entire class averaged a 24 ACT composite score, three points higher than the national average of 21.

"One of the most striking things about this record freshman class is that 91 percent are living on campus, compared to a more typical 65 to 70 percent in past years," Executive Vice President Michael Duduit asserts. "As a result, we will be filled to capacity in campus housing this year and will be looking to expand our housing facilities during the coming year."

The dramatic jump in total enrollment can be partially attributed to the growing interest in Union's nontraditional programs, particularly those offered at the university's Germantown campus. After one year of operation, the campus has more than doubled its enrollment. The campus' focus on providing adult education at the undergraduate and graduate level attracted over 200 students for fall 1998. Last year's enrollment totaled 98. At Germantown, adult students can earn their master of business administration or a master of education. Registered nurses can earn a bachelor of science in nursing.

Germantown's MBA and M.Ed. programs are extensions of the MBA and M.Ed. programs offered at the Jackson campus. Other non-traditional programs available in Jackson include the bachelor of science in organizational leadership through the McAfee School of Business Administration, the associate of divinity and diploma of Christian ministry through Union's R.G. Lee centers, and the master of arts in education through the School of Education and Human Studies.