Nov. 14, 2008 -- Boosted by the largest freshman class ever, fall enrollment at the University of Wyoming totals 12,099 students, an increase of 99 students from the same time a year ago, according to a report presented today (Friday) to the UW Board of Trustees.

The totals, determined on the 15th day of this semester, show 9,999 students enrolled on the Laramie campus and 2,100 enrolled through the Outreach School. Total enrollment should reach approximately 13,000 students by the end of the semester after additional outreach enrollment is recorded, says Sara Axelson, UW vice president for student affairs.

"We are very pleased with the continuing growth in enrollment at the university. We know that the Hathaway Scholarship Program is contributing to the enrollment growth along with our affordability," Axelson says. "We attribute the increased student interest to other factors, too, including our exceptional academic programs and our wonderful opportunities for involvement on campus and through study abroad."

She says 2,136 students are assisted by the Hathaway Scholarship Program this fall. The amount of merit and need support these Wyoming residents are receiving from the state this fall semester totals more than $3 million, in addition to UW scholarships and federal financial aid.

Axelson also mentions the support from the Wyoming State Legislature.

"We are grateful for the tremendous financial support from the Wyoming Legislature with our outstanding new and expanded facilities, including the Information Technology Center, the expanded Coe Library, the College of Business expansion, the Anthropology Building and more," she adds.

The number of new freshmen students starting at UW is nearly 1,700 -- a UW record -- marking an increase of Wyoming residents at 4.2 percent and 2.5 percent for non-resident students from a year ago. The 1,697 total includes 958 students from Wyoming and 739 from out-of-state.

Axelson says new freshmen from Colorado increased to 407, up 11 percent from fall semester 2007. The number of new transfer students this fall increased by 59 to 983 students. Axelson says resident transfer students represent 70 percent of the transfer population.

Ethnic minority enrollment increased to 1,089 (up 38 students) representing 9 percent of the UW student population.

"The greatest percentage of growth among ethnic minority undergraduate students at UW is among the Hispanic/Chicano population," Axelson says. The number is 394 for an increase of 38 students from one year ago.

International student enrollment increased by 19 percent (up 87 students) to 539, which includes 261 undergraduate students.

For more information about UW's enrollment, contact Axelson at (307) 766-5123 or e-mail saxelson@uwyo.edu.

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Nearly 10,000 students are enrolled on UW's Laramie campus, and 2,100 attend Outreach School classes.

Posted on Friday, November 14, 2008