By Bridgette Sallee, student news writer
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – Dr. Michael V. Carter, president of Campbellsville University, has announced that Campbellsville University is ahead of last spring’s enrollment and it is looking at 16 semesters of record enrollment. The numbers are up almost four percent from last year.
Of the 2,303 students enrolled for the spring semester, almost 65 percent of those were full-time degree-seeking undergraduates.
These numbers however are only an estimate of what the total enrollment could likely be. “Due to eight-weeks and online courses, among others, the total number cannot be determined until later, but it will likely reach more than 2,400,” said Paul Dameron, director of institutional research for Campbellsville University.
“Sixteen semesters of consecutive record enrollment is quite an achievement,” said Carter. “We are so pleased that more than 2,400 students have enrolled to study in a wonderful Christian higher education environment,” he said.
One of the large increases is seen in high school students who are taking advantage of the university’s Dual Credit Program. This program allows eligible high school students to simultaneously take classes for credit. The Dual Credit Program increased over seven percent from last spring.
“Dual credit students earn college credits and work toward their high school graduation requirements in the same class. Qualified instructors deliver this experience at an extremely reduced cost,” said Dave Walters, vice president for admissions and student services.
The ACCEL program, a program for adults learners offered at night, is still growing. “After careful research,” Walters said, “we realized a great need within the adult education market.
“Within Taylor County and its contiguous counties, we discovered that many working adults have a need for either degree attainment or degree completion. With these facts in mind, we designed a program to specifically help these adult learners.
“This program was assembled to be convenient, affordable and in an accelerated format to help working adults reach their higher education goals quickly,” Walters said.
The number of students living in residence hall and villages is also up from previous years. The addition of new resident villages on the university’s campus has allowed for more availability and more options of on-campus living, said Carter. Residency in on-campus housing is up another six percent from last year.
“We have seen a growth in not only the student body, but also the campus itself,” said Carter. “With more and more students finding their calling here at Campbellsville University, we are able to expand and increase our resources thereby providing even greater opportunities for each one of them.”
The semester has also seen a record student retention rate of 88.5 percent. This is up almost three percent from previous semesters. It is also the largest number of new students at the start of the spring semester, with almost 150 enrolled. This includes first semester freshman, transfer students and former students who have been readmitted to CU. The number of transfer students is up almost 15 percent from last spring; a growth of 23 percent in the last two years alone.
Campbellsville University has expanded even beyond its home campus, with courses being offered at three different sites throughout the state. Three extension sites include Severns Valley Baptist Church in Elizabethtown, the Louisville Campus and Somerset Community College. At the Louisville extension, enrollment was up five percent from last year. Other sites saw their numbers more than double from the previous spring semester.
“It is because of this growth that Campbellsville University is being recognized nationally as one of ‘America’s Best Colleges,’” said Carter. “We are committed to providing students with a quality education for a price they can afford. Because of this, students from all over the country and the world are taking advantage of what we have to offer.”
For more information about Campbellsville University, contact the Office of Admissions at (270) 789-5220 or admissions@campbellsville.edu.
Campbellsville University is a private, comprehensive institution located in South Central Kentucky. Founded in 1906, Campbellsville University is affiliated with the Kentucky Baptist Convention and has an enrollment of 2,405 students who represent 98 Kentucky counties, 25 states and 29 foreign nations. Listed in U.S.News & World Report’s 2008 “America’s Best Colleges,” CU is ranked 22nd in “Best Baccalaureate Colleges” in the South and eighth in the South for “Great Schools, Great Prices.” CU has been ranked 15 consecutive years with U.S.News & World Report. The university has also been named to America’s Best Christian Colleges®. Campbellsville University is located 82 miles southwest of Lexington, Ky., and 80 miles southeast of Louisville, Ky. Dr. Michael V. Carter is in his ninth year as president.