WVU Parkersburg Spring 2006 FTE is largest in history

WVU Parkersburg spring full-time enrollment is the highest in college's history.

CONTACT: Marie Foster Gnage, president of WVU Parkersburg, 304-424-8200.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The spring full-time enrollment at West Virginia University at Parkersburg is the highest in the college's 45-year history.

The full-time equivalency (FTE) measurement calculates the number of students and credit hours taken in terms that can be compared with headcount enrollment. For the spring term, the calculation equates to 2,466 full-time students attending the college.

It is the largest spring FTE total in the college's existence. The record-setting FTE reflects a 2.5 percent increase over last year's spring enrollment totals.

A total of 3,556 full- and part-time students are enrolled in classes for the spring semester. Sixty percent of them reside in Wood County and nearly 19 percent live in Jackson County.

"As we enhance opportunities for students to access our courses and programs, these initiatives are resulting in record enrollments for the college," Marie Foster Gnage, president of WVU Parkersburg, noted.

She cited increases in the availability of on-line courses, partnerships with area public school systems and higher education institutions, and heightened recruiting and marketing strategies as contributing to the college's sustained growth.

In the fall, WVU Parkersburg set a 29-year record in the calculated number of full-time students enrolled in classes for the fall semester. The college's fall FTE rate was the second highest fall total in the college's history. The overall enrollment increased by nearly two per cent for the fall with 3,772 enrolled.

WVU Parkersburg offers programs and services in Ripley as well at its Jackson County Center which is also experiencing growth in its student enrollment.

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For additional information, contact:
Connie Dziagwa
WVU Parkersburg
Executive Director
Institutional Advancement
(304-424-8203)