Tusculum College sees record-breaking year with new students

Tusculum College reached a historic milestone with the entrance of its 2017-2018 residential student class, with 405 new students, an increase of 7.1 percent over the 2016-2017 academic year new student enrollment. This is also the highest number in recorded history for an entering class.

The registration total was announced by Dr. Paul Pinckley, vice president for marketing and enrollment management for Tusculum College, who said that the number includes 299 entering freshmen, 78 transfer students and 28 new international students.

“Tusculum College’s residential program continues to grow for a number of reasons,” said Dr. Pinckley. “We have implemented a focused, personal follow-up program by our strong admissions team. We have also added two athletics teams, track and field and STUNT, which have boosted enrollment, and we believe we have a strong marketing message directed at those students we identify to be a good fit at Tusculum College.”

Tusculum College, which has a tradition of reaching out to first-generation college students, did so again, with 140 of the fall entering class listed as first-generation college students.

Of the new students in this year’s entering class, 203 are from the State of Tennessee, and 174 are from outside the state. Thirty-four of the new students are from Greene County, which is about 10 percent of the entering class. According to Dr. Pinckley, the new students on average received $15,000 in institutional aid, which includes scholarships and grants specifically awarded by Tusculum College. Academic scholarships awarded by the college to students in this year’s entering class range from $500 to $12,000.

He added that the large entering class produced a residence halls occupancy rate which is slightly above 100 percent. While all students are now housed on campus, the first few weeks of school required off-campus housing for a few students. “Having at or over capacity housing is a good problem to have. It makes for lively student activities, full stands at athletic events and creates a better environment for students as more students are involved in campus activities,” he said.

He added that the college will continue to recruit new students and is still accepting applications and registrations for students who will be able to start classes in January, the beginning of the spring semester.

“We are reassured that students and their parents are realizing that even in difficult economic times, an education is a valuable investment, and we are pleased that so many of those families have chosen Tusculum College as a place where they feel confident their student can be successful,” said Dr. Pinckley.

Graduate and Professional Studies fall graduate enrollment is also up, with 99 students enrolled, up 37.5 percent over Fall 2016.