Tusculum College reached a historic milestone with the entrance of its 2009-2010 residential class, with 370 new students, an increase of 5.7 percent over last year’s all-time high.
The registration total was announced by Jacquelyn D. Elliott, vice president for enrollment management for Tusculum College, who said that the number includes 310 entering freshmen, 53 transfer students and seven new international students.
“Tusculum College’s residential program continues to grow for a number of reasons,” she said. “Our admission focus is on a more structured search, and we are more focused in how we reach out to potential students in the Appalachian area.”
“It is part of our mission to serve those in this area, and our office has been more conscientious about providing access for students in the Appalachian region through financial aid packages and support.”
Tusculum College, which has a tradition of reaching out to first-generation college students, did so again, with 38.5 percent of the fall entering class listed as first-generation college students.
Of the new students in this year’s entering class, 71 percent are from the State of Tennessee, and 29 percent are from outside the state. Thirty-six of the new students are from Greene County, which is about 10 percent of the entering class, she added. Sixteen percent of the Tusculum College new class of students are athletic scholarship recipients.
According to Elliott, the new students in total received $4,054,905 in financial aid, through a combination of in state, federal and College-provided scholarships, loans and grants.
Elliott said the large entering class produced a residence halls occupancy rate which is “more than 100 percent.”
“For the first time, residential housing capacity has been met, which 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.”
According to Elliott, this year’s entering student class is not only an unusually large entering class, but also is better prepared academically. The average ACT scores of incoming students increased from 21.66 last year to 21.75 this year and remains above the state average of 20.
Elliott said 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 Elliott.