Issue date: 9/5/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Jonny Green Junior geography, geology double-major Phillip Russell auditions for the Singing Cadets in front of director David Kipp. Phillip has been singing in choirs since second grade. Auditions continue through Friday. [Click to enlarge]

A record 46,612 students enrolled at Texas A&M this fall.

The enrollment figures are up by 1,232 students compared to last year, and included Texas A&M's largest freshmen class and more minority students than ever before.

"The increase is part of an initiative proposed by former Texas A&M President, Robert M. Gates, to increase enrollment in small increments," said Martyn Gunn, dean of undergraduate programs and associate provost for academic services.

Gunn said the plan is to increase enrollment to about 48,000 students by admitting more freshmen, transfer and graduate students for the next five years.

Daniel Gillaspia, a sophomore marketing major, said the increase in enrollment is a good indicator that A&M is becoming a first-choice school.

"The increase in minority and freshmen enrollment shows the effect Dr. Gates had on this school," Gillaspia said. "Because of plans he initiated, Texas A&M has bigger numbers than ever before."

Texas A&M's freshman class of 8,085 students is one of the largest in the nation and the largest in the school's history.

Graduate student enrollment experienced a 397student increase compared to last year. This year, 8,688 students are enrolled in graduate programs. The professional DVM degree program at the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biological Sciences enrolled an additional 505 students.

Junior marketing major Lindsay London said that, although Texas A&M keeps getting bigger and bigger, it will still remain a small close-knit community because of its traditions.

The enrollment of undergraduate and graduate minorities have also increased this year said Gunn.

This year, a record 5,292 Hispanic students and 1,419 African American students enrolled at Texas A&M.

The incoming freshmen level of Hispanic students is up by 30 students. However, the African American freshmen enrollment is down by 17 students. The combined enrollment of Hispanic and African American freshmen marks another year increase in diversity.

"A&M's main focuses are expansion and diversity," London said. "Therefore, it's only natural that each successive entering class is larger and more diverse than the one's before it."

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