SPECIAL TO THE LEADER ———

Lamar University has set another all-time enrollment record, officials announced today. Official figures for the fall 2015 semester taken on the 20th class day show the university has the highest enrollment in its history.

Lamar’s record headcount was set with 14,966 students, up .5 percent over last fall’s 14,895.

“Even though the number increase is relatively modest, up 71, we are delighted to see the continued growth trend,” said Kevin Smith, senior associate provost.  “Semester credit hour closely follow headcount and this fall’s credit hours are likely at a record level, but are not comparable to last year’s number due to a change in the State’s reporting calendar.”

The largest growth among the academic colleges was in the College of Engineering which saw a 12.5 percent jump, with the departments of industrial engineering (up 46.5 percent), chemical engineering (up 15.8 percent), and mechanical engineering (up 9.5 percent) leading the way.

Other academic departments with sharp growth include computer science, up 70.5 percent, counseling and special populations, up 13.3 percent, and music, up 11 percent.

The university’s graduate program grew 22 percent while undergraduate enrollment was down 1.1 percent, Smith said. LU’s first-time-in-college freshman numbers are up 10.9 percent. Transfer students are up 13 percent. “Both of these figures bode well for future growth,” Smith said.

Lamar University continues to draw students from well beyond the region with new freshmen from 19 other countries and 19 different states. The university’s total enrollment includes more than 2,000 students from other countries and states.

“On balance, our fall 2015 enrollment is healthy and builds on science, engineering and graduate patterns observed in previous years,” Smith said.