Spring Quarter Enrollment Increases 4 Percent

Ruston -- Louisiana Tech's spring quarter enrollment has increased 4 percent from spring 2002.

On the ninth class day -- the official day for determining enrollment -- figures showed a total of 9,878 students, an increase of 407 from last spring quarter.

Fall quarter, however, is considered the official enrollment figure for the year by the Board of Regents, and this fall that number broke a 108-year Tech record with 11,280 students. Fall quarter records were also set for first-time freshmen and graduate students.

Tech President Dan Reneau said he is pleased that more students are enrolling at Tech.

"It's a compliment to our programs," Reneau said.

Since 1996, Tech has had an overall increase of 21 percent for fall quarters and 15 percent for spring quarters. The College of Engineering and Science had the largest head count increase this spring.

Spencer Feaster, a sophomore health and physical education major from Benton, explained some of what makes Tech appealing:

"It's a friendly environment, but it's also an academic environment where you are a real person, not just a number."

In addition, Reneau said Tech has outstanding faculty and facilities, which means students get a good education. "Good students want to come to good universities," he said.

The numbers rank Tech as the largest university in North Louisiana.

Tech's ninth class day was March 24.
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