William Woods Announces Preliminary Enrollment Figures

8/22/2011 Mary Ann Beahon
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (573) 592-1127

 

 Preliminary enrollment figures indicate that approximately 960 students will attend classes on the Fulton campus of William Woods University this fall. Classes began today (Aug. 22).

“I'm particularly proud and pleased with our strong freshman class in light of the economy and the A+ program the state provides to the community colleges,” Dr. Jahnae H. Barnett, WWU president, said. “In addition, our strong retention numbers indicate students are happy with their college decision.”
 
This year William Woods welcomed approximately 310 new students from 28 states and seven countries (Brazil, Canada, China, England, Ireland, Israel and Taiwan).  Overall, 42 states are represented in the campus enrollment, with Missouri, Illinois, California, Texas and Colorado being the top five.
 
“It is exciting to watch all of the new students arrive on campus—it is my favorite day of the academic year,” Sarah Munns, dean of admissions, said. “This entering class, both freshman and transfer students, appear to be top notch, and I am confident the faculty and staff will find them a joy with which to work. Speaking on behalf of my entire team, it has been a pleasure working with each and every family.”
 
The overall enrollment has more than quintupled in the 21 years Barnett has been president. In 1990, before WWU added undergraduate and graduate programs for working adults, 713 students attended William Woods. Overall, WWU now enrolls 3,600 undergraduate and graduate students who take their classes in locations throughout Missouri and at sites in Arkansas.













Students continue to select a professions-oriented curriculum.  Top majors, both for the incoming class and the returning students (in alphabetical order) are biology, business administration, communications, elementary education and equine administration/equestrian science.
 
“The incoming students seem to be very focused on their professional goals,” Munns said. “They have put more preparation and thinking into where they want to be and what they want to do after college, and they are looking for fields that will offer them job stability. They are more outgoing, more independent, self-reliant and ready to stretch their wings.”
 
This fall marks the 11th anniversary of the creation of the school’s innovative LEAD (Leading, Educating, Achieving and Developing) program. The program provides awards to any
incoming student who agrees to make a commitment to campus and community involvement through a tuition reduction of $5,000 annually for residential students and $2,500 annually to commuter students.
 
LEAD is intended to encourage and reward the types of activities that make for a complete, well-rounded liberal arts background. The impact of the successful LEAD program, coupled with the popularity of the Graduate College programs, has contributed to steady growth for William Woods University.
                                                         
 
CUTLINES:
The William Woods University Class of 2015 poses for a class photo at Senior Lake.
 
Incoming William Woods University students cross the Senior Lake Bridge during the Ivy Ceremony, while family and friends look on.