Bowling Green, Ky. - For the eighth consecutive year, Western Kentucky University has set a record for fall enrollment. Preliminary figures provided to the Council on Postsecondary Education show an enrollment of 18,685, an increase of 40 over fall 2005.

That number includes a 35.5 percent increase in the number of first time, first year African American students, from 335 in 2005 to 454. Total African American enrollment is 1,744 students, up almost 5.5 percent from the 2005 figure of 1,591.

“I am pleased with the support the entire university has given to make WKU the university of choice for so many students,” Dr. Luther Hughes, associate vice president of Academic Affairs, said. “The quality of our academic programs is a drawing point for our students as well.”

Dr. Hughes said WKU set records in all-time enrollment, first-year students and African American students. He said several other factors have contributed to the enrollment success, especially for African American students.

“We, along with the Council on Postsecondary Education, have established goals for the employment of African American faculty and staff, and we have met those goals,” he said. “We have hired new employees in strategic positions, especially financial aid and admissions, and all of those have contributed to the positive environment for all students, including African Americans.”

Dr. Hughes added that many faculty and staff have “done a great job in making students aware of the personal attention they get at WKU.”

WKU Total Fall Enrollment
2006    18,685 (preliminary)
2005    18,645
2004    18,513
2003    18,391
2002    17,818
2001    16,579
2000    15,516
1999    15,123
1998    14,882

More WKU news is available at www.wku.edu. If you’d like to receive WKU news via e-mail, send a message to WKUNews@wku.edu.

For more information, contact Dr. Luther Hughes, (270) 745-6169.

-WKU-
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