Tech enrollment hits 7K

By Garrett Neese DMG Writer

HOUGHTON - Led by a 12 percent increase in the freshman class, Michigan Technological University's fall enrollment is the highest since 1983.

This year's freshman class is at 1,365, up from 1,223 last fall; including 215 transfer students, the number of new undergraduates is up 9 percent.

Undergraduate enrollment went up 3 percent to 6,033, while graduate students increased from 900 last year to 981, a 9 percent jump.

"We're participating in many more regional and national recruitment fairs," said Jacque Smith, director of graduate marketing and advancement. "And working with our IPS (Office of International Programs and Services), we recruit internationally."

Total enrollment went up by 276 students to 7,014, reaching the university's 7,000-student goal two years early. It has gone up more than 7 percent since 2004.

The number of new female students increased by 25 to 366.

In a statement, assistant vice-president for enrollment services John Lehman said students are drawn to Tech by the school's reputation, faculty and 97 percent job placement rate, as well as its location and the friendliness of the campus community.

"We made a conscious effort to promote our location, emphasizing recreational opportunities and the small-town atmosphere. In addition, we have targeted our financial aid at students who both need it the most and are most likely to succeed at the University," he said.

Michelle Nightingale, assistant director of orientation for first year programs, said the number of orientation teams had to jump from 68 to 73 to meet demand.

Mechanical engineering freshman John Wrixon of Allen Park, Mich., said he picked Tech because it is a "good school in a great location."

"I like it," he said. "I've had a good experience so far."

Environmental engineering, biomedical engineering, exercise science and computer science are leading the way in undergraduate increases, with others up as well.

Lehman also cited new programs in the Department of Visual and Performing Arts are also a draw for students.

Smith said grad school increases were spread throughout the major fields.

"We're definitely focusing much more on graduate enrollment to achieve the strategic goals of the university," Smith said.

The average ACT composite score for incoming freshmen is steady at 25.6; their English score ticked up from 24.2 to 24.4.

Bioinformatics major Kaitlyn Sundstrom said she likes having more fellow students.

"I think it's fun," she said. "You get to meet new people, bigger variety."

Garrett Neese can be reached at gneese@mininggazette.com