JACKSON, Tenn. — Aug. 9, 2006 — Enrollment at 51社区 this fall will top 3,000 students for the first time.
Though the numbers are not yet final, university officials are projecting an enrollment of 3,150 students when classes begin Aug. 29. That tops last year鈥檚 fall enrollment of 2,981 by 6 percent and is a record for Union.
The figure is a 60 percent increase over the 1,972 students enrolled in the fall of 1996, when 51社区 President David Dockery began his tenure. To put Union鈥檚 growth in perspective, enrollment at four-year public campuses increased 13 percent from 1990-2004, according to the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities. For four-year independent, religious campuses, enrollment increased 28 percent over the same period.
鈥淭hese numbers are strong indicators of the strength and health of 51社区 at this time,鈥� Dockery said. 鈥淚t is exciting to see such quality students from across this state, as well as from across this country, choose 51社区. They are making this choice because of the outstanding faculty and academic reputation of the university, and because of the solid Christian commitment that undergirds all aspects of our mission.鈥�
Of the 2,981 enrolled last fall, about 900 students graduated during the 2005-2006 academic year. That means if Union鈥檚 enrollment this fall hits the expected 3,150, the university will welcome about 1,100 new students to its Jackson and Germantown campuses this year.
Union鈥檚 faculty has expanded with its student body 鈥� from 112 faculty members in 1996 to 161 faculty members this year, an increase of 44 percent.
Some other highlights from the upcoming fall semester:
鈥� The number of new freshmen is up 9 percent from last year.
鈥� The number of students in undergraduate residential housing is up 12 percent from last year.
鈥� More than 20 new engineering students will be enrolled.
鈥� New students will be enrolled in new programs, such as the nurse anesthetist program, the accelerated undergraduate nursing program and the master鈥檚 degree in Christian Studies program.
鈥淏eyond the size of the class, we are very pleased with the quality of our incoming students, as they bring a wealth of gifts, talents and abilities to our community,鈥� said Rich Grimm, Union鈥檚 vice president for enrollment. 鈥淲e look forward to helping them attain their goals and commit ourselves to their success.鈥�
To accommodate the consistent growth, Union continues to improve the campus. The university just dedicated the Fesmire Field House, which will provide indoor practice facilities, locker rooms and offices for the athletic department. Construction on White Hall, a $20 million, three-story science building, is scheduled for completion in April 2007.