Georgia Southern University Sets Record Marks for Enrollment, Retention, Average SAT Score

Georgia Southern University released its enrollment figures for the Fall 2008 semester Tuesday showing record growth in enrollment, student retention, and an all-time high average SAT score by incoming freshmen.

Enrollment at Georgia Southern for fall semester 2008 is 17,748 students. That is the largest enrollment in the university’s history and is up 28 percent from 10 years ago. Not only are more students enrolling at Georgia Southern, they are also staying at Georgia Southern. The University’s student retention rate reached a record 81 percent, up nearly 15 percent since 1999. Georgia Southern is also attracting higher quality students. This semester’s freshman class has an average SAT score of 1111, higher than any class in the University’s history. The average SAT score is also significantly higher than state and national averages.

“These achievements are the result of a decade of hard work and dedication to our students and our university’s future,” said Bruce Grube, president of Georgia Southern University.

Linda Bleicken, Provost and vice president for Academic Affairs says Georgia Southern’s growth and achievement has an economic impact that reaches far beyond the university as students graduate and put their degrees to work. “If a student comes here and they are successful it’s important in the life of the student. But, it is also important for the progress of our region and our state,” she said.

“Parents are recognizing the value of not only the education, but the experience that their children receive at Georgia Southern,” says Teresa Thompson, vice president of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. “We pride ourselves on combining all of the benefits a major university with the feeling of a much smaller college. Students like this because they can stand out and get involved and parents love it because they know their son or daughter is receiving personal attention.”

Grube says while much has been accomplished in the last ten years, the University community is committed to growing its programs and opportunities for students. “This is a wonderful time to be a part of Georgia Southern University and we are excited about our future.”

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