FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, Aug. 21, 2009
Contact: Bill Bissett, Chief of Staff, 304-696-6713
 

Marshall University projects significant increase in enrollment

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Based on initial projections before the start of the 2009 fall semester, Marshall University anticipates a significant increase in enrollment for the coming academic year.

The number of overall full-time students has increased by 3.5 percent over last year. Also, the number of new, first-time freshmen has increased by 11 percent over last year’s count of 1,686, including an increase of approximately 200 new freshmen from West Virginia.

Students began moving in this morning and the first class of the fall semester begins at 8 a.m. Monday.

“We are extremely pleased that, despite tough economic times, Marshall University is seeing an increase in both our overall and freshman enrollment,” President Stephen J. Kopp said. “These increases are an indication of the quality of education offered by Marshall University and the hard work by our Offices of Recruitment and Admissions, and our faculty and staff. More and more people are realizing that a degree from Marshall University will prepare them well for the future.”

The number of full-time undergraduates has increased by 4 percent over last year and the number of full-time graduate students has increased by less than 1/2 percent.

“While we are very happy with these numbers, we must continue to improve our retention rates,” Kopp said. “We must be committed to do everything we can to ensure that students who start at Marshall University complete their education and earn their degrees.”

Additional enrollments for off-campus and off-calendar classes will be added throughout the next few months, and more detailed enrollment counts are not expected until late October.

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