Fall Enrollment Up for University of Memphis
For release: October 18, 2004
For press information, contact Curt Guenther

The final enrollment figures and their tabulations show that the University of Memphis has grown in several important statistical categories this fall.

First, total enrollment is up to 20,668. That is 757 more students than last year at this time. Of that figure, 15,928 are undergraduates, while 4,740 are graduate students.

Next, this fall's first-time freshman enrollment stands at 2,062, up nearly six percent over last fall's class. This year marks the first time since 1988 that this statistical category has topped 2,000. Bill Akey, assistant vice provost for Enrollment Services at the University, said, "We believe the new Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship program played a significant role in the first-time freshman increase."

Also, the number of transfer students (from other colleges and universities) is up nine percent, and the rate of retention (of existing U of M students) has increased three percent over last year's rate. This is the second year in a row that the retention rate has climbed.

"The continuing increase in the student retention rate," said Dr. Rosie Bingham, vice president for Student Affairs, "is attributable to the efforts and the dedication of the faculty, staff, and students to make the entire education experience at the University of Memphis a productive and positive one."

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