The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford has experienced a
record-breaking year.
On Thursday, the university announced its largest enrollment of
full-time students in history. The records don’t stop there – the
campus is also home to the largest new freshman class; total number
of new students this fall; and a record number of students living
on campus.
University officials said the figures fall in line with a plan
to ensure Pitt-Bradford is a household name in the years to
come.
“These enrollment figures indicate the word is getting out about
Pitt-Bradford,” University President Dr. Livingston Alexander said.
“We are certainly not going to rest on our laurels. We are an
integral part of this region and it is our responsibility to
continue to help to enhance the cultural, economic, educational and
social climate in northwest and northcentral Pennsylvania.”
According to statistics provided by Pitt-Bradford, this fall,
1,110 full-time students are enrolled – the highest amount in the
43-year history of the university, surpassing the previous mark set
in 2004.
Meanwhile, the university’s total enrollment equals 1,315
students – a combination of the full-time students, plus an
additional 205 part-time students. In addition, there are 365 new
freshman students enrolled this fall, a record high; the previous
high water mark for freshman was accomplished in 2004, when 313
enrolled at the university.
The number of new students this fall – 452 – is also a record.
The figure is a combination of the 365 new freshmen and 87 transfer
students. Lastly, Pitt-Bradford has set a record in the number of
students living on campus, 656. That surpasses a previous mark of
585 set in 2004.
“Our staff members in admissions, enrollment services, financial
aid and outreach services along with our strong faculty and other
personnel are the key contributors to this pleasant enrollment
news,” Alexander said.
Alexander said the majority of students come to the university
from Pennsylvania, including 41 percent from its six-county service
region.
“But, increasing numbers are coming from outside our region,”
Alexander said, including western New York, northeast Ohio, New
Jersey, Washington, D.C., and 17 different states nationwide.
According to Alexander, the hike in enrollment can be traced
back to the academic programs and facilities at Pitt-Bradford and
its recent recognition in Princeton Review’s “The Best Northeastern
Colleges” as one of the top 222 colleges in the northeast. It was
the second consecutive year the university was included in the
publication.
The university’s new marketing brand, “Beyond,” is also playing
a part in the process. The brand was developed by faculty and staff
with the assistance of Stamats Inc., a nationally recognized
marketing firm. In addition, Pitt-Bradford has added new
baccalaureate majors in accounting, hospitality management, health
and physical education and an associate degree program in
engineering science in an effort to continue meeting the needs of
students, area residents and the marketplace.
“More and more students are calling as our name gets out and the
quality of our institution becomes known,” Alexander said, adding
admissions counselors and personnel fan out throughout
Pennsylvania, New York state and Ohio and attend college fairs,
especially in such locations as Philadelphia and Buffalo, N.Y.,
among others.
Alexander said a growing amount of prospective students are also
shopping for post-secondary education on the Web. “We receive a lot
of hits on our Web site and inquiries from students across the
country.”
“The process of recruiting and the network that has developed is
pretty extensive,” Alexander said. “You could have a student in
Florida looking for options out of that state. It also helps to
have the University of Pittsburgh name.”
Delving further into the numbers, Alexander said the university
is realizing an increased number of students coming from urban
areas. “Still, our (student) population is predominately rural,
although we have an increased amount coming from Philadelphia and
elsewhere.”
Alexander also believes the rural setting of the campus is a
draw for students, particularly those coming from urban
settings.
“The draw is the contrast between rural and urban,” Alexander
said. “Students are able to focus more on their studies and it’s an
attractive alternative for parents as well. Parents are much more
involved than ever before in college selection.
“We’re safe, affordable and have plenty of attractive
scholarships available.”
The increase in enrollment has not come by accident, however.
Alexander said deliberate planning and the university’s strategic
plan has helped guide its growth.
“We are optimistic things will continue to go well,” Alexander
said. “We understand, that at any point in time, we could run into
obstacles and valleys that stand in the way of potential growth,
most importantly being in an area with declining population.”
All this will only help spur more economic growth in the
community.
“When our students come, they spend money, not only on campus
but at merchants across town,” Alexander said, adding the
university has also hired more faculty to meet the increased
enrollment. “We hope as we grow, Pitt-Bradford will provide even
more of an impact.”
