GSW on track for record enrollment

AMERICUS—The enrollment at Georgia Southwestern State University is on pace to reach a record high.  As of the end of the day on Friday, August 15, 2804 students had enrolled.  This is 399 or approximately 16 percent more students than were enrolled on the day of the final count in the Fall of 2007.  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.  It is likely these will be less than the current total headcount.  However, University officials are confident that they will be above the 10 percent (i.e., 240 students) they set for the institution a year ago.

 Georgia Southwestern’s previous record of 2648 students was set in the fall quarter of 1975.  This number has not been challenged since Fall 2000 when 2622 students enrolled.

In addition to the 2800 regular students, an additional 34 students are enrolled in the new, South Georgia College Entry Program located on GSW’s campus.  Many of these students are living in Southwestern’s residence halls and participating in regular student activities.

“Needless to say, I am thrilled by the numbers, but I am not surprised,” notes GSW President Kendall Blanchard.  “I have said almost from the beginning of my tenure here that Georgia Southwestern should be much larger than it is. This year’s numbers reinforce that contention.”    

The University’s unprecedented growth can be attributed to a new vision from institutional leadership, 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, and a dedicated staff committed to making each student’s college experience worth treasuring.   Other factors include a productive partnership with South Georgia Technical College, a closer working relationship with Sumter County Schools, and a community-wide effort to embrace Americus as a college town. Georgia Southwestern’s improved retention rate is a major growth factor, as well. At 72 percent, GSW’s retention rate has risen nearly 10 percentage points from last fall.

“Georgia Southwestern is becoming the university of choice for more students each year,” says Dean of Admissions Gaye Hayes.  “We’re seeing increases in enrollment across the board—from the 18-year old freshman to the professional returning for a graduate degree.”

Georgia Southwestern continues to expand. The University’s proposed Professional Golf Management Program is awaiting approval from the Professional Golf Association (PGA); new bachelor degree programs will be initiated on the campuses of Gordon and East Georgia College in 2009; and GSW plans to break ground for a new residence hall this winter.

“The bottom line is that a lot of talent and hard work are behind this year’s enrollment increase,” said Blanchard. “My suspicions about the great faculty and staff colleagues I inherited when I came to Southwestern have been confirmed.  They are the ones responsible for our success.  Their commitment, energy, and creativity have been the major forces behind this year’s recruitment efforts and the resulting enrollment increase.  I am pleased, excited, and grateful and remain confident that what my colleagues have done this year they will do again in the Fall of 2009.

 Growing community of learning--Georgia Southwestern is on pace to set a record for enrollment.                                                     

                                                             - GSW -