A record number of students have enrolled at Lipscomb University this fall, prompting the university to move forward with plans to add new dormitory space.
Lipscomb has a total enrollment of 2,643, an increase of 60 students from the same time last fall, said G. David England, assistant vice president for marketing and public relations. This fall's enrollment surpasses the record of 2,627 set in fall 2001.
The increased enrollment has filled residential space for female students to capacity, making a 148-space addition to Johnson Hall a necessity for future growth, England said. Construction will begin this fall and is scheduled for completion before next fall's class enrolls.
"The large number of new students and our excellent retention rate we have this fall suggests that Lipscomb's distinctive approach to education has a strong appeal," said university President Steve Flatt.
Flatt noted that Lipscomb's engineering major has nearly twice as many students as last year, growing to more than 70 students in just its second full year.
"I think that as students learn about Lipscomb, they really appreciate our commitment to the idea that excellence is demanded by faith, from the quality of new programs like engineering to the richness of the overall campus experience. I believe we're well on our way to achieving our enrollment goal of 3,500 by 2010," Flatt said.
Construction on the $5 million Johnson Hall addition is scheduled to begin in October and be completed next August, England said.
The addition would nearly double the capacity of Johnson Hall, which now houses 164 female residents.
The addition is part of the university's campus master plan and will feature double- and single occupancy rooms in a suite-type arrangement. Tuck-Hinton Architects designed the addition and D.F. Chase Inc. has been selected as the contractor, England said.