Record 2,341 Students Enrolled

COLUMBIA, Ky. -- Buoyed by the largest freshman class in its 106-year history, Lindsey Wilson College has enrolled a record number of students for the 2009-10 school year.

The college's enrollment is 2,341. That's a 17 percent increase over last school year's enrollment of 2,006, which at the time was a record for the liberal arts college. The college's freshman class is a record 568.

"In an era when many colleges are worried about enrollment, Lindsey Wilson is blessed to have a record number of students," said Lindsey Wilson President William T. Luckey Jr. "That's a testament to our dedicated faculty and staff, who have built an outstanding college."

Lindsey Wilson's record overall enrollment also includes a record number of resident students. A total of 872 students are living in the college's residence halls and apartments, 151 more than last year.

"Word has gotten out about the value of a Lindsey Wilson education," Luckey said. "Students from all over the commonwealth of Kentucky have been drawn to Lindsey Wilson because of the outstanding educational experience provided, as well as numerous opportunities for undergraduate research and service-learning."

The college's resident enrollment has expanded so much that it forced the Lindsey Wilson Board of Trustees to approve construction on a new residence hall. Earlier this semester, the college broke ground on a $7 million, 186-bed residence hall. When it is opened next school year, the four-story, 44,000-square-foot building will be the college's largest residence hall.

One of the primary reasons for Lindsey Wilson's steady enrollment increases over the last decade has been what Luckey calls an "extraordinary investment" in academic programs. Since assuming the presidency 11 years ago, the college's full-time faculty has expanded from 44 to its current level of 94. Lindsey Wilson has also added several majors, its latest two coming this fall: a bachelor of arts degree in fine arts administration and a bachelor of science degree in nursing.

"A lot of factors can be attributed to Lindsey Wilson's phenomenal growth," Luckey said. "More than two dozen buildings have been added, the A.P. White Campus has expanded from 47 to more than 200 acres and we have increased the number of academic programs offered. But the biggest reason for our enrollment increase has been the investment we have made in creating and supporting an outstanding faculty and staff."

This year's student body is also among Lindsey Wilson's most gifted. The student body includes 24 Kentucky Governor's Scholars, 13 Rogers Scholars, 42 Bonner Leaders and 16 John B. Begley Scholars. The freshman class includes three class valedictorians.

"The creation of an honors program has attracted some of the best and brightest students, and it's challenged them with one of the best faculties at any private college or university in Kentucky," Luckey said.

One of those students is Sara Beth Vincent of Cub Run, Ky. A 2009 Hart County High School graduate, Vincent was also a 2008 Kentucky Governor's Scholar.

Vincent said she decided to attend Lindsey Wilson after touring the A.P. White Campus.

"I really liked the one-on-one attention students received from the faculty," said Vincent, the daughter of Bruce and Tammy Vincent.

Vincent said Lindsey Wilson's financial-aid program also influenced her decision.

"It's just a great place, and I absolutely love it," she said. "I wouldn't go anywhere else in the world."