Clarksville, Ark. ---The University of the Ozarks' 2003 Fall Semester enrollment of 731 students is the largest on-campus enrollment in university history.
This semester’s enrollment represents a four percent increase over Fall 2002 and a 38 percent increase since 1998 when the campus had 530 students. It also marks the most on-campus students in the school’s history, topping the 726 students in 1989. The only other time Ozarks reported more students was in the 1980s when total enrollment numbers included students at its satellite campuses in Fort Smith and Hot Springs. "We continue to make history and this fall’s enrollment is another example of our amazing recent success," said Ozarks President Dr. Rick Niece. "A university’s enrollment is a combination of recruiting students and then retaining them. Our success in the recruitment of new students, plus the retention of current students, speaks volumes about the quality of education at the University of the Ozarks and our outstanding faculty and staff." The 2003 Fall Semester enrollment includes 452 returning students and 279 new students. There are also 466 students living in on-campus housing this semester, the largest number in the university’s history and a 35 percent increase since 1998. "Our new student recruitment strategies are working great as we had a five percent increase in new freshmen over last year and have had a 38 percent increase in new students since 1998," said Jim Abbuhl, vice president for enrollment management. "Also, we’ve improved our retention of students from year to year which can be attributed to our faculty, staff, student life activities, athletic staff and improved facilities. The commitment to students that everyone on this campus makes is just amazing. We’re thrilled to continue to service our students in the very best manner possible."
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