EKU has record enrollment this fall

Freshman class largest in 35 years

RICHMOND, Ky. (Oct. 20, 2015) — Eastern Kentucky University has its largest enrollment ever this year with 16,959 students, according to a report from the Division of Student Success that was presented to the EKU Board of Regents. The freshman class of 2,906 is the largest in 35 years.

Other significant numbers from the report:

• Thirty-nine percent of the freshmen were awarded merit scholarships, up from 28 percent a year ago. The average ACT score (22.2) and average high school GPA (3.28) are also the highest in EKU history. The number of Governor’s Scholars is up from 29 a year ago to 50.
• The percentage of students with developmental needs is down from 31 percent to 21 percent.
• Seventy-six percent of all students in this fall’s freshman class listed EKU as their first choice on their FAFSA forms.
• Four-five-and six-year graduation rates are all up and ahead of goal.
• Two new facilities are being created: one that will make a positive, first impression on visitors and another aimed at further improving retention and graduation rates, especially among first-generation and under-represented students. A new welcome center, to be created on the first floor of the Whitlock Building, will seat 92 and contain a projection system for displaying video.

Paul Gannoe, director of capital construction and project administration, updated the board on several recently completed, ongoing and planned construction projects, including:

• Phase Two of the New Science Building, to house the departments of Biological Sciences and Geosciences, is expected to be complete by June 2017.
• The Ashland Building Addition, housing a seven-room test burn facility for the University’s fire and safety program, is expected to be complete by late November of this year.
• Renovations of the 15th-19th floors of Commonwealth Hall, to re-locate the eCampus administrative offices, are expected to be finished by mid-December of this year.
• The newly completed Noel Reading Porch on the south side of Crabbe Library now overlooks a newly fashioned pedestrian mall, replacing what had been a lackluster industrial space.
• Work has begun on a pedestrian gateway near the intersection of Lancaster Avenue and Barnes Mill Road.
• Athletic facilities renovations will continue for the football, baseball and softball complexes.