LIVINGSTON, Ala.—A 39 percent increase of incoming freshmen and a 67 percent increase of online students drove the University of West Alabama’s enrollment to 3,090, up by 423 students from 2004.

This year marks the first time enrollment has broken the 3,000 mark, thanks in part to the 946 students taking UWA classes over the Internet. Additionally, the 366 new freshmen, the largest entering class since 1998, outnumber last year’s class by 102.

UWA President Richard Holland credits the university family for the jump in enrollment.

“Enrolling three thousand students is a significant milestone for UWA. We have to thank the faculty, staff, students and alumni for helping us reach our enrollment goals,” said Holland. “I believe the increase is due to the awareness of our quality programs and our caring environment.”

            In a recent survey of alumni from Alabama’s thirteen public, four-year universities, the Alabama Commission on Government Accountability found UWA ranked first in categories including accessibility and quality of advising, career services programs and faculty and staff caring for each student as a person.

The university also tied for first place in several areas: quality of course instruction, preparation for effective writing and working with others, preparation for current jobs with undergraduate degree and undergraduate degree worth the time and money invested.