Contact: Ted Montgomery
(248) 370-4346
tmontgom@oakland.edu
For Immediate Release
Monday, Oct. 5, 2009
Oakland University sees student enrollment growth for 12th consecutive year
Rochester, Mich. – Oakland University officials today reported a 4.1 percent increase in fall 2009 student enrollment, which marks the 12th straight year of enrollment growth. The university now has a student population of 18,967, including students participating in the Macomb 2 Oakland concurrent enrollment program. Administrators attribute this trend to growing recognition of the university’s quality academic programs, as well as efforts to keep them accessible to a broad base of students.
“That we’re seeing this kind of growth in the midst of such difficult economic times is a very encouraging sign,” said Oakland President Gary D. Russi. “It affirms the fact that Michigan residents are ready to broaden the knowledge-based economy here, and that Oakland will play a vital role in helping both individuals and the region build a more prosperous future.”
Undergraduate enrollment has grown to 15,275 students, while graduate enrollment stands at 3,645. This year, OU welcomed 2,466 first-year students – a gain of 4.9 percent over fall 2008 figures. This has once again set a record as the university’s largest first-year class ever. The university also has seen 1,677 students transfer in from other institutions, which represents an 11.5 percent gain over the same number last year.
“The growth in our student enrollment has mirrored the expansion of our academic programs and facilities here on campus and, particularly, the recruiting of top-notch faculty and staff who make all of our success possible,” said Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Virinder Moudgil. “I am confident that Oakland University will continue to attract a wide spectrum of students, and as we experience that, our focus will be to provide and maintain quality academic and student life experiences.”
Oakland University is recognized by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as one of the nation’s 83 doctoral/research universities. It now offers 132 bachelor’s degree programs and 117 graduate degree and certificate programs. To learn more, visit Oakland University on the Web at
www.oakland.edu.
