A record number of students will attend Tri-State University this fall, according to figures provided by the TSU Office of Admission.

TSU Dean of Admission Scott Goplin said TSU has attracted the largest new student class and overall enrollment in over 10 years, with approximately 475 new students and a total enrollment of over 1,600, including the branch campuses. Enrollment at the main Angola campus has increased by over 13 percent since fall 2005, and resident student enrollment has increased by nearly 30 percent.

Goplin attributed the enrollment jump to a five-year enrollment marketing plan implemented in fall 2005, in which TSU “has aggressively pursued the development of new academic and activity programming, a master plan to address facility needs, and deliberate and innovative programming to improve student retention,” he said.

The master plan included the construction of TSU’s University Center and Center for Online Technology and three new student apartment buildings, which drew support from current students and sparked the public’s attention. A successful $90 million capital campaign wrapping up in fall 2009 also fueled energy and excitement, he said.

Other factors include polished admission and marketing department efforts to communicate a consistent TSU message; new academic and activity programs such as the five-year master degree in civil and mechanical engineering, an entrepreneurship major, and minors in robotics, metallurgy, architecture, and music; increased academic standards and the availability of scholarships and financial aid; the transition to National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III membership, improved athletic recruitment and retention, and the addition of men’s and women’s lacrosse; an ROTC “crosstown” agreement allowing TSU students to take advantage of U.S. Air Force scholarships and training through the University of Notre Dame; and admission office outreaches through high schools and college fairs.

School of Professional Studies Dean Jean Deller said new course offerings and other improvements contributed to the school’s enrollment jump. “We have added new majors to our bachelor of business administration (B.B.A.) degree, increased online program offerings and introduced an accelerated schedule in which students can now earn a bachelor’s degree in a little over three years,” she said.