Enrollment record set

Enrollment at Ivy Tech Community College increased by 11.8 percent this year. That number is a record enrollment for the school of 86,130 students.

The official headcount on the first day of the fall semester showed an increase of more than 9,000 students compared to last year at this time. Each region of the college experienced growth.

Additionally, students are taking more credit hours as the full-time equivalent (FTE) numbers increased by 12 percent for the first day to a record enrollment of 50,114 students.

"It's clear that students are responding to Ivy Tech's promise of affordable, quality education that leads to employment in the fields where workers are needed most," said Ivy Tech President Thomas J. Snyder.

"We pledge to continue to earn our students' trust by giving them a meaningful college experience, whether the are seeking a new career or planning to transfer their credits to a four-year university.

The Wabash Valley Region, which Putnam County is part, saw an increase of 6.1 percent with an enrolment of 5,647 students.

"Now more than ever, people of the Wabash Valley are understanding the benefit of a college education. More and ore people in West Central Indiana are seeing the value that Ivy Tech offers them through affordable tuition and quality educational programs that lead to good paying jobs and/or continuing their education at neighboring four-year institutions, "stated Dr. Jeff Pittman, Chancellor and Vice Provost of Distance Education.

Ivy Tech's first day fall enrollment has grown over the last four years with first day enrollment numbers at 65,300 in 2005 and growing to 86,130 this year. This is an increase of 20,830 students in just four years.

"At this time, employers are telling us that because of increasing competition in the global economy, current and future employees need the skills necessary to be able to respond quickly to an ever-changing environment.

Also the Indiana Department of Workforce Development estimates that by 2010 there will be an additional 222,410 high-wage, high demand jobs in Indiana requiring a postsecondary degree. Today and in the future, it is obvious how3 critical a postsecondary education is or will be to Wabash Valley residents," added Pittman.

Ivy Tech Community College is the nation's largest statewide community college system and the state's second largest public post-secondary institution serving more than 115,000 students a year.

For information about Ivy Tech Community College call (317) 921-4882.