Office of Public Relations:                                           For more information, contact: Stephen E. Snyder

(229) 931-2028                                                                         (229) 931-2037 ssnyder@canes.gsw.edu

(229) 931-2072 fax

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August 21, 2009

GSW enrollment soars over 3000

 

AMERICUS—The enrollment at Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) has reached another record high.  As of the end of the day on Friday, August 21, 3033 students had enrolled.  This is the first time that more than 3,000 students have been enrolled at GSW during any one semester.  The current number is 316 or approximately 11.6 percent more students than were enrolled on the day of the final count in the Fall of 2008.  This number includes both undergraduate and graduate students, 2789 and 244 respectively.

"Obviously, we are pleased with the enrollment numbers,” said President Kendall Blanchard. “However, this growth does not come without a price.  Because of the state budget cuts we have been unable to fill many important positions.  As a result, both faculty and staff are being asked to do double duty.  Without the willingness of faculty to squeeze the extra students into their classrooms and take on all the extra work that comes with each additional student, we would not be where we are today.

“So, while I am extremely grateful to our recruiters and the many individuals who have helped to bring in the additional students, I am equally appreciative of those hard-working faculty and staff who are helping to make sure that these students have the classes they need, the services they need, and the encouragement they need to ensure that they stay with us until they graduate," said Blanchard.

It is almost certain that the final count will be less than this as every semester some students drop out of school because they are unable to get the financial aid they anticipated or they decide to return home or transfer elsewhere. The official final numbers will be reported later in the semester. University officials are confident the numbers will be between 2900 and 3000.

“This is an exciting time for Georgia Southwestern,” said Vice President of Enrollment Management Gaye Hayes, Ph.D. “New facilities, a dedicated faculty and staff and increasing student numbers are making the campus more vibrant than ever.  We're not surprised that more students are discovering the best kept secret in higher education in the state.”

Georgia Southwestern’s previous record of 2717 students was set last fall and was 13 percent higher than the previous record set in 1975.

In addition to the 3033 regular students, an additional 111 students are enrolled in the South Georgia College Entry Program located on GSW’s campus. This is a 70 student increase over the previous year. Many of these students are living in Southwestern’s residence halls and participating in regular student activities.

                The University’s consistent growth is attributable to an aggressive admissions staff, a creative marketing initiative, innovative collaborations with the two-year schools across the state, a talented faculty that offers excellent academic instruction, a dedicated staff, and new campus housing. Other factors include a productive partnership with South Georgia Technical College, a close working relationship with Sumter County Schools, and a community-wide effort to embrace Americus as a college town. A retention rate of 74.6 percent is a major factor, as well.

                For additional information, call (229) 931-2037 or email ssnyder@gsw.edu.

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