Spring Break
Student numbers hit new record
MSU enrollment reaches more than 17,000
Carl Smith
Issue date: 9/18/07 Section: News
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Mississippi State officials announced Wednesday that attendance levels are setting all-time records across the board.
According to an article on the MSU Web site, the university has recorded 17,039 overall students for the fall 2007 semester, the first time attendance has eclipsed the 17,000 mark.
This year's enrollment exceeds last year's by 800 students.
MSU also reported the largest ever incoming freshman class and the highest number of students enrolled in graduate and professional programs, numbering at 2,281 students and 3,831 respectively. Not to be outdone, MSU-Meridian also recorded 821 students, its highest enrollment.
Philip Bonfanti, director of the office of admissions and scholarships, said many areas of the university's chain of command had a hand in bringing in new students.
"A lot of factors led to this increase," he said. "It all began with [MSU President Robert] 'Doc' Foglesong making attendance a priority. Once he did that, it took everyone else getting on board, from the faculty who worked to develop programs to retain students to the recruiters who went out and visited college fairs. Even MSU's alumni have helped to get the word out about our university by referring students and holding gatherings for those who were interested."
The main reason behind this increase is the university itself, Bonfanti said.
"We can all get out there and talk about MSU, but it takes having a good product to back up all the talk," he said. "We have that here at MSU. We believe that we have something unique to offer that no other university can provide."
Not only does the university prepare students short-term with education and interactions between themselves and faculty, but it prepares them beyond the four years they are in school, Bonfanti said.
Higher enrollment rates will benefit both MSU and Mississippi, he said.
"Continued enrollment growth is good for the university, which in turn is good for Mississippi," Bonfanti said. "Poverty and unemployment rates are directly related with a lack of education. The state has made education one of its top priorities, and the university is following suit. We're a state institution and we're here to help Mississippians."
According to an article on the MSU Web site, the university has recorded 17,039 overall students for the fall 2007 semester, the first time attendance has eclipsed the 17,000 mark.
This year's enrollment exceeds last year's by 800 students.
MSU also reported the largest ever incoming freshman class and the highest number of students enrolled in graduate and professional programs, numbering at 2,281 students and 3,831 respectively. Not to be outdone, MSU-Meridian also recorded 821 students, its highest enrollment.
Philip Bonfanti, director of the office of admissions and scholarships, said many areas of the university's chain of command had a hand in bringing in new students.
"A lot of factors led to this increase," he said. "It all began with [MSU President Robert] 'Doc' Foglesong making attendance a priority. Once he did that, it took everyone else getting on board, from the faculty who worked to develop programs to retain students to the recruiters who went out and visited college fairs. Even MSU's alumni have helped to get the word out about our university by referring students and holding gatherings for those who were interested."
The main reason behind this increase is the university itself, Bonfanti said.
"We can all get out there and talk about MSU, but it takes having a good product to back up all the talk," he said. "We have that here at MSU. We believe that we have something unique to offer that no other university can provide."
Not only does the university prepare students short-term with education and interactions between themselves and faculty, but it prepares them beyond the four years they are in school, Bonfanti said.
Higher enrollment rates will benefit both MSU and Mississippi, he said.
"Continued enrollment growth is good for the university, which in turn is good for Mississippi," Bonfanti said. "Poverty and unemployment rates are directly related with a lack of education. The state has made education one of its top priorities, and the university is following suit. We're a state institution and we're here to help Mississippians."
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