FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                        September 26, 2007

NORTHWESTERN REPORTS INCREASE IN FALL SEMESTER ENROLLMENT

            A more focused effort on recruiting has led to an enrollment increase of more than 2 percent for the fall semester at Northwestern Oklahoma State University.

            In a preliminary report to the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, Northwestern reported total headcount enrollment of 2,052 students for the fall semester, an increase of 42 students compared with last fall’s report of 2,010 students.

            Headcount enrollment for the fall semester has surpassed 2,000 students for seven consecutive years.

            An even more encouraging number is the headcount of first-time freshmen, which soared nearly 40 percent to 338 students, up 96 from 2006. This year’s freshman class is the largest at Northwestern since 2000.

            “We are pleased with the progress we have made in enrollment, and the efforts of our recruitment staff are to be commended,” said Dr. Janet Cunningham, university president. “Students and their families are choosing the quality and affordability of Northwestern.

            “I think it is particularly noteworthy that this enrollment increase comes during a boom in the regional economy when jobs are plentiful. A strong economy usually negatively affects higher education enrollments.”

            Enrollment at the main campus in Alva is 1,320 students, up 3.2 percent from last year’s figure of 1,279 students.

            Northwestern’s campus in Woodward also has a larger enrollment, with 209 students attending classes, an increase of 11.8 percent over last fall’s figure of 187.  Enrollment at Northwestern-Enid is smaller this fall, with 383 students enrolled, a decrease of 30 students from last year’s number of 413.

            Two areas that did experience enrollment gains include Northwestern’s outreach sites, mainly in Ponca City, which grew to 167 students, up 18 from a year ago; and enrollment among high school students in concurrent classes, up 14 students, from 51 to 65.

            The sum of Northwestern campus enrollments is slightly larger than the total headcount because some students take classes at multiple sites.

-NW-

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