“These are preliminary, unofficial numbers, but we are very excited to see so many fresh faces here on campus,” President David Watts said. “From classrooms to the courts, this is a vibrant university.”

Admissions director Trey Wetendorf said this year’s freshman class was the largest class to date.

“We are up approximately 26 percent in freshmen enrollment, with about 440 freshman students enrolled. This is our largest freshman class of all time – and I have to credit our terrific admissions counselors for getting the UTPB message to prospective students,” Wetendorf said. “Being able to talk about our recognition in Newsweek and US News & World Report at college nights and various recruiting events has given us terrific credibility with our potential parents as well.”

Wetendorf said that more international students are coming to the university, too. UTPB has enrolled students from Brazil, China, Mexico, Australia and Norway.

“Honestly though, I think students just fall in love with the campus. We had three preview days and students came and saw what we had to offer, met the great faculty and staff, saw the student apartments, the sports, and the great area. This is a terrific time to be on campus, things are just really buzzing,” Wetendorf said.

Roden Center for Entrepreneurship Chair Leslie Toombs agreed. After eating lunch in the courtyard during the university’s Club Day, she said she was amazed at the number of new students she met.

“I sponsor the Students in Free Enterprise Club, and we signed up more than 40 freshman and sophomore students to participate in the SIFE club,” Toombs said. “Clubs are an excellent way to meet people and experience new things, and an excellent way for students to get involved on campus.”

For more information, please visit www.utpb.edu.

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