MURFREESBORO – With its fall enrollment numbers now official, Chowan University proves its growing strength once again this year, breaking another record going back 40 years.

“I am pleased to report that Fall 2010 enrollment at Chowan University is 1,214 students,” stated Provost Dr. Danny Moore in an official announcement to the campus. “This is the highest fall enrollment since 1971, and is a 12.4percent increase over Fall 2009.”

Indeed, Chowan’s numbers have been steadily growing higher and higher ever since Dr. M. Christopher White arrived to the Chowan campus in July of 2003. Under his leadership, enrollment has actually witnessed an astounding increase of more than 51percent.

And the quality of the student body has improved as well, with Chowan rejecting a record number of applications last year so that new students who will thrive on the historic campus can rise to the top.

“Admissions is producing a large number of applicants and increased interest, also improving retention of those students through finding the perfect fit for Chowan’s environment,” Dr. White explained. “Moreover, we know our mission, we know who we are and what we are trying to achieve, so we can better serve our students.”

Among the high total is the presence of 596 new students, most of them freshmen. With students enrolled in the new elementary education graduate program, new student enrollment exceeds 600 students this year. Undergraduate programs in business administration, music, psychology, English, and physical education also saw significant enrollment increases.

“Last year at this time, I would have told you Chowan has hit the high-water mark,” Dr. White said jovially of the rise from a 1,080 student enrollment last fall that was in itself a 13 percent increase from the previous year. “But here we are again, even higher!”

For more information about Chowan University, visit www.chowan.edu or call 1-888-4-CHOWAN.