Lone Star College System Kicks Off Fall 2008 Semester; Enrollment Increases

Lone Star College System Kicks Off Fall 2008 Semester; Enrollment Increases

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Lone Star College System kicked off the fall 2008 semester Aug. 25. Reports by the office of research and institutional effectiveness indicate a 5.7 percent increase in the total number of students served system-wide.  Current enrollment as of Aug. 28 was 50,873. 

Lone Star College-Montgomery reported the largest increase in the number of students served at 9.7 percent bringing its total enrollment to more than 9,600.   

“Thanks to the hard work of faculty, staff, and even students, the first week of classes at LSC-Montgomery has gone very smoothly,” said Penny Westerfeld, LSC-Montgomery interim president. 

“We have another semester of record enrollment, and the campus is extremely busy, but everyone is doing their part to make sure that teaching and learning is the focus,” said Westerfeld. 

Lone Star College-CyFair, the largest of all five colleges within the LSCS had the second largest increase in enrollment at 6.9 percent.

 “I was refreshed and energized the first day to be greeted by so many eager students,” said Alexander Hogan, new full-time associate professor of political science at LSC-CyFair.

“Nothing charges me up for a semester more than seeing that look of discovery,” he said. 

Lone Star College-Kingwood began the new academic year under the direction of newly hired college president, Dr. Katherine B. Persson.

“The fall start of classes is always fun, fast-paced and full of hope signaling a new beginning for many on campus,” said Persson.

“We will serve over 8,200 students this fall which represents about a three percent increase over last fall. We are able to accommodate this growth through strategically planning course offerings, hiring more faculty and by bringing in temporary trailers, affectionately called cottages,” she said.  

A $420 million bond referendum to build new facilities and infrastructure to keep up with continued enrollment was passed by voters in May 2008.

"The bonds will fund projects at all our locations," said Cindy Gilliam, vice chancellor of business affairs and chief financial officer for LSCS.

"We're working to meet the demand caused by the growth in the area's population," she said. 

Detailed enrollment reports for LSCS are available online at http://www.lonestar.edu/3583/.

Lone Star College System consists of five colleges, including LSC-CyFair, LSC-Kingwood, LSC-Montgomery, LSC-North Harris, and LSC-Tomball, six centers and LSC-University Center. With more than 50,000 students, it is the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area, and third largest community college district in Texas. To learn more, visit LoneStar.edu.

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Posted by Demilliano, Emily F on 8/29/2008 9:35:00 AM
Lone Star College System
5000 Research Forest Drive
The Woodlands TX 77381-4356
Phone 832.813.6500
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