Lamar's enrollment returns to pre-Hurricane Rita levels

Lamar University's fall 2007 headcount is 10,379 students, up 4.8 percent over last fall's enrollment and just slightly below the pre-Hurricane Rita headcount of 10,595 students in the fall of 2005.

The total semester credit hours students are enrolled in has risen 2.3 percent to 115,178 hours.

"This headcount almost returns Lamar to pre-Hurricane Rita levels and reflects the fruits of several enrollment rebuilding initiatives," said Kevin Smith, Lamar University's senior associate provost.

"We are very pleased. It is the result of a lot of hard work. We expect the momentum to continue into the spring semester and into the future."

Enrollment rebuilding initiatives include new distance education sites in Baytown and Lumberton, more online courses and degrees, additional scholarships, new degree programs and the innovative partnership with Higher Education Holdings.

In partnership with Higher Education Holdings, Lamar provides teachers across the state with the opportunity to earn master's degrees.

"We're attracting more students from outside the area," Smith said. "We must offer them a nice place to eat, live and play. When you combine that with our strong academic programs, we have all the bases covered."