Dual-credit courses help boost Midway University enrollment 37 percent, freshman class 31 percent

Midway University says it has record enrollment in its undergraduate class for the third consecutive year. The 267 new undergraduates represent a 31 percent increase over last year, and total undergraduate daytime enrollment is now at 571 students, "the highest in recent history," the university said in a news release.

The university said its total enrollment was 1,668 across all student populations, compared to 1,217 in 2017, a 37 percent increase. "It is an exciting and transformational time to be at Midway," President John P. Marsden said. He commended several staff members for their work.

The university attributed a "significant portion of the increase in enrollment" to dual-credit courses, offered in partnerships with high schools in Franklin, Henry and Woodford counties. It said 409 students are enrolled in such courses this semester.

The new undergraduates come from 26 states and 57 Kentucky counties, plus two from Colombia and France. Sixty percent of the new daytime students, and 63 percent of all undergraduates, are female. The university went coeducational two years ago.

"Our overall growth is due to coeducation in 2016, expansion of athletics, dual credit enrollments, business partnerships for our evening and online programs, and team efforts across all departments on campus," Marsden said.

The university's rapid growth means it is "playing catch-up on facilities," the release said. "The fundraising project, 'The Campaign of Opportunities,' should wrap up this fall and a ground breaking will be held for the new field house and baseball stadium projects. With some of the funds already raised, renovations to the Belle Wisdom Residence Hall took place this summer with every bathroom getting a complete makeover."