Troy University News

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Tom Davis
Troy Office of University Relations
334/670-3196
tomdavis@troy.edu

Office of University Relations
253 Adams Administration
Troy, AL 36082
(334) 670-3196
(334) 670-3274 (fax)

TROY STATE UNIVERSITY
OFFICE OF UNIVERSITY RELATIONS PRESS RELEASE
FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 1-334-670-3196

   TSU sets enrollment records for campus, system
   Troy State University’s fall semester enrollment figures reflect record numbers of students attending the Troy campus as well as locations throughout the worldwide TSU System, according to the University’s Office of Institutional Research.
   TSU enrolled 6,195 student through the Troy campus this fall, including residential students, commuters and students taking courses through distance learning. This represents a 13.3 percent increase over fall semester 2001.
   The Troy State University System enrollment is a record 22,191, up 15.5 percent from 2001. The System consists of four Alabama campuses in Troy, Phenix City, Dothan and Montgomery, plus University College, which operates more than 50 campuses on military bases and civilian sites in 14 U.S. states and seven foreign nations.
   In addition, the four TSU Alabama campuses in Troy, Phenix City, Montgomery and Dothan now enroll a record 12,748 students in-state, up 7.6 percent over 2001 and up three percent over fall 1993, when the old record was set.
   Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., Chancellor, said the numbers are encouraging and provide evidence that TSU is becoming a university of choice for students across Alabama.
   "Naturally, we’re pleased with these numbers, but this didn’t happen by accident," he said. "We have added several academic programs in recent years, such a geomatics, graphic design, risk management and insurance and sport and fitness management that offer excellent career options for students. And we’ve increased our efforts to recruit international students, which is contributing greatly to our growth."
   The TSU Chancellor added the growth of distance learning is one of the main contributing factors to the record enrollments, as approximately 6,500 students in the TSU System are distance-learning students. We are proud to enroll students from 59 countries on our main campus in Troy.
   Included in the distance-learning data is TSU’s participation in the eArmyU program, which is officially named Army University Access Online. The program was started as part of an effort to boost recruiting and retention of soldiers and provides degree programs to soldiers worldwide. Currently, TSU offers courses via the Internet to 2,821 soldiers through eArmyU, making it the second largest provider of courses among 23 participating colleges and universities.
   "Students, particularly adults earning advanced degrees, like the convenience of distance learning," Dr. Hawkins said. "We are committed to offering a combination of traditional instruction and distance learning in an effort to provide this convenience for the greatest number of students. And we are committed to continuing our 50-year tradition of serving the Department of Defense."
   Buddy Starling, Dean of Enrollment Management, also attributes the increase to a broadening of TSU’s recruiting focus.
   "We still recruit heavily in southeast Alabama, and we will always seek students from our home base," Starling said. "But we have been more aggressive in recruiting students from other areas of the state, such as the Birmingham and Mobile areas."
   For example, Starling pointed out that the number of TSU students from Baldwin County near Mobile is up 31 percent over 2001.
   The increased visibility accompanying TSU’s move to Division I football also played a role in the enrollment increase, Starling said.
   "We can’t overlook the role athletics plays in marketing the university," Starling said. "But I also think we’re simply doing a better job of telling the Troy State University story, and a I think we have an excellent story to tell."