Classes Begin at the University of Evansville
August 23, 2006

On the first day of classes at UE today, 2,444 full-time undergraduate students cracked the books – with approximately 645 students in the incoming freshman class, according to UE President Stephen Jennings. This number is a 2 percent increase over last year’s full-time number. Total enrollment is estimated at 2,688, which includes 123 students studying at Harlaxton College, UE’s campus in England. Final enrollment figures will be available soon after the University’s last day to register for classes and add courses, September 1.

Getting to go to a college close to home, which also offered her scholarships for her prowess in artistic endeavors, is what drew Evansville resident Lindsay Becker to UE. Becker, a North High School graduate and now an art education major, won first and second place awards all over the city while she was in high school and was state finalist for her Project Excel spray painting on Plexiglas last year. “I chose UE because I felt comfortable here and really liked the atmosphere,” Becker said. She explained the scholarship she received played a big factor in her coming, and she liked the small size of the campus. “I liked that the classes aren’t too big, so I can get plenty of help from my teachers and they will know my name.”

Of the freshman enrolled this year, more than half are from Indiana – with 20% coming from Vanderburgh, Warrick, Posey, Pike and Gibson counties. The class also boasts students from 36 states throughout the country including Alaska, California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Texas and Michigan.

Preston Frasch, a 19-year-old freshman engineering major hailing from Milford, Mich., said he felt called to go to UE, after having so many people point him in this direction. He explained that his father and brother are both mechanical engineers and his sister is an architect. He knew he wanted to study engineering, too. But, he also wanted someplace to pursue his interest in music performance and knew that a liberal arts university like the University of Evansville – was designed for just that. His father learned about UE from a co-worker whose father is the dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science. His family is also friends with individuals who are originally from Evansville who recommended UE highly. Even on a trip to Germany, he met people who knew of UE. “UE has a solid engineering program, a good music program and a great guitar instructor. It had everything I wanted,” Frasch said. He was accepted by five colleges and universities, including the University of Michigan, but chose UE. The Michigan native said, “I might have felt compelled to attend UM if they had given me a scholarship; but I would have known that I preferred and would have had a better experience at UE.”

Frasch is also one of 75 students enrolled in the University’s Honors Program. More than 250 students applied. “This is one of the largest honors classes the University has enrolled, which continues to show the academic strength of our students,” said Tom Bear, vice president for Enrollment Services. Frasch’s major area of engineering is also enjoying a strong enrollment this fall. Through new initiatives made possible by the Toyota Scholar’s Program, and the recently dedicated Bowen Technology wing of Koch Center for Engineering and Science, Frasch is one of 95 new freshmen enrolled in this program.