Date:
2/6/2012
Contact: Dr. Steven Gamble at 575.760.5420
PORTALES—For the first time in its history, Eastern New Mexico University’s enrollment for a spring semester has surpassed 5,000 with 5,084 students. This spring’s enrollment is an increase of 4.5 percent over the previous record for a spring enrollment, set last year with 4,864 students.
Student credit hours, which higher education institutions funding is based on, increased by 4.0 percent, the first time Eastern has exceeded 50,000 with 51,047 for a spring semester.
ENMU's record spring enrollment includes 3,922 undergraduate and 1,162 graduate students. These include 1,071 freshmen and sophomores, 2,421 juniors and seniors and 1,162 graduate students. (Undergraduate totals do not match the totals for freshmen through seniors because of non-degree-seeking students.)
Campus housing is also bustling with 877 students on campus compared to 828 one year ago.
“We are very pleased with this year’s spring enrollment. The university enjoyed good retention from the fall semester and had a good influx of new students,” said Steven Gamble, ENMU president. “We are also proud of the record number of graduate students enrolled for a spring semester.
“Setting an all-time spring enrollment record is gratifying because it reinforces that students and parents recognize that we are providing an education and environment that allows students to thrive.
"Eastern has a reputation for offering a great education in a number of fields at one of the lowest prices in the Southwest. That, along with faculty and staff who truly care about the students as individuals and do everything they can to help them, is a winning combination.
"In addition to high quality academics, Eastern offers an active social life for its student population. Eastern develops students who are as prepared to succeed socially as academically. Both are integral to success in their professional and personal lives.”
Gamble added that Eastern offers free tutoring and advising for students, as well as generous financial aid and scholarships.