For the fourth time in its history, Grand Valley State University's enrollment has risen by more than 1,000 students in a single year, with the announcement today of a final count of 18,579 students for the 2000-2001 year.
The increase is 6.5 percent over last year's count of 17,452. The number of first-time freshmen jumped 11.9 percent over last year's figure, to 2,953. The total of freshmen for the new academic year is 3,947.
The number of master's degree students is up 4.2 percent over last year.
GVSU Vice Provost Robert Fletcher said the enrollment increases are seen throughout the university. The array of programs GVSU offers in Allendale, Grand Rapids, Holland, Muskegon, and Traverse City are in demand.
Accessibility to quality programs is important to more than traditional students, Fletcher said. It's academic programs that people sign up for, and we're highly regarded for our focus on teaching and the quality of our faculty.
The final headcount comes as GVSU dedicates its new Richard M. DeVos Center, a significant expansion of the university's Pew Grand Rapids Campus. The center provides a home to GVSU's 15 graduate programs, and several upper division undergraduate courses are also offered there.
