Sources: Kirk Schulz, 785-532-6221, kirks@k-state.edu; Pat Bosco, 785-532-6237, bosco@k-state.edu;
Myra Gordon, 785-532-6276, mygordon@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Cheryl May, 785-532-6415, may@k-state.edu

Thursday, Sept. 24, 2009

K-STATE REPORTS RECORD ENROLLMENT INCLUDING LARGEST MANHATTAN CAMPUS ENROLLMENT IN FIVE YEARS AND MORE STUDENTS OF COLOR THAN EVER BEFORE

MANHATTAN -- With residence halls filled to capacity, Kansas State University officials knew in August that enrollments would be stable for the fall semester. The 20th day enrollment figures, announced today, show record numbers of students with 23,581; students of color with 2,488 and on-campus enrollment in Manhattan of 20,206.

Last year's total enrollment was 23,520, with 2,278 students of color, and 19,991 on campus students in Manhattan.

"Interest in K-State is high," said K-State President Kirk Schulz. "K-State attracts impressive students and we will do everything we can to make their experience the best in the nation. Student success combined with affordability are a tradition at K-State and an integral part of our K-State promise."

This fall, K-State implemented the Guide to Personal Success, a program for first-year students, based on one with the same name offered at George Washington University. It provides incoming students with a stronger connection to campus by matching them with a mentor. Faculty mentors want new students to be exposed to a variety of majors and programs on campus, Schulz said.

Schulz said he knows the economy has made it difficult for many to afford college.

"We have an obligation as the state's land grant university to make K-State accessible to the Kansas families who are counting on us," Schulz said. "K-State's office of student financial assistance put aside money for students and families who were hit hard by the economy."

Dalton Henry, K-State's student body president, said he is proud of the impact students had on maintaining affordability at the university.

"We made a huge commitment to maintaining affordability with the smallest tuition increase possible," Henry said.

K-State also has increased diversity with a record number of students of color enrolling this fall. Totals include 889 African American and 829 Hispanic and Mexican American students who chose K-State.

"We are delighted that our commitment to diversity is being recognized by potential students," said Pat Bosco, vice president for student life and dean of students. "We have done a good job of increasing student success and maintaining affordability. Because of efforts by Dr. Judy Lynch, director of K-State's Academic Assistance Center and director of K-State's Kauffman Scholars Program, K-State attracted 14 Kauffman scholars -- the most of any school in the program. Also, Madai Rivera, coordinator of Hispanic recruitment; and our admissions and financial aid staff have done an incredible job."

Bosco credited Myra Gordon, associate provost for diversity and dual career development, who also has been working hard to recruit and retain multicultural students.

Gordon said, "A one-year increase of 9.2 percent in multicultural student enrollment just thrills me and means Kansas State University is doing its best job ever in recruiting and retaining multicultural students. With the expectations of governing boards and employers, and with the continuous diversification of the Kansas citizenry, this is just where we want to be as an institution of higher education, especially a land grant institution. I am so grateful for everyone who has worked so hard to bring about these results -- the office of admissions; campus diversity programs; deans, diversity point people, and college diversity committees; faculty and staff; and the staff and multicultural student organizations of the office of diversity and dual career development. I am also very grateful for corporate support of Project IMPACT which has provided 83 scholarships, a six week interdisciplinary summer bridge program; college exposure experiences for over 500 high school students; and early warning and tracking capabilities for retention."