William Carey University students aren't letting damage from the tornado that hit campus on January 21 stop them from continuing their education.
Registration for the summer trimester closed on June 9, and the university is reporting a 2 percent increase in enrollment over summer 2016. The number of students enrolled on the Hattiesburg campus increased from 1,638 in 2016 to 1,650 this year. Enrollment at the Tradition campus in Biloxi and the programs at Keesler Air Force Base stands at 655, up from 621 in 2016. Total enrollment grew from 2,259 last summer to 2,305 this year.
"With the uncertainty of enrollment following the January tornado which devastated the campus, it is a very encouraging outcome to see an increase in summer enrollment," said president Tommy King.
The university saw a significant increase in the number of students enrolling in doctoral-level classes this summer. During summer 2017, the enrollment in doctoral classes grew to 247 students, up from 160 last year.
"We believe the enrollment increase this summer is indicative of our expanding reputation for excellence in graduate study at William Carey," said Dr. Frank Baugh, graduate dean. "Our doctoral programs in higher education administration, educational leadership, and physical therapy account for a majority of the growth. The success of these programs in attracting talented students is reflective of the dedication and enthusiasm embodied by all of our graduate faculty and staff. We look forward to maintaining this positive momentum in the coming years."
The enrollment at the Tradition campus will continue to steadily rise in the coming years with the addition of the School of Pharmacy, which the university broke ground on in May. Pending approval from the Accreditation of the Council for Pharmacy Education, the School of Pharmacy should start enrolling students in the summer of 2018. The pharmacy school can accept 64 students in the first year.
Recovery Update
At the conclusion of the spring trimester in May, Phase 2 of the rebuilding and restoration work began. Many of the repairs immediately after the tornado were temporary measures made to quickly, yet safely, get the students moved back to campus and classes resuming on schedule. Work will continue on the buildings throughout the summer.
The Doctor of Physical Therapy program moved back to campus at the end of May, and the College of Osteopathic Medicine began moving back this week. Both held classes at The University of Southern Mississippi during the spring trimester. The Winters School of Music is also in the process of moving back to campus after being housed at Hardy Street Baptist Church.
Grading has begun for the construction of the new dormitories that will replace Ross and Johnson Halls, which had to be demolished after the tornado. Demolition of the historic Tatum Court is complete and a new administration building will be built near the entrance to campus. Construction of the three buildings is expected to take 12-14 months and should be complete by fall 2018.
Phase 2 of the recovery work also includes the construction of a new building that will serve as a temporary academic building to replace classroom space lost in the School of Business and Tatum Court. The building is located next to the new Ben Waddle Sports Facility on County Drive and should be completed by the time fall classes begin on August 28. The School of Business was severely damaged during the tornado and will not be ready for use again until fall 2018.
A new academic building will be built behind McMillan Hall to house language and literature, communications, history, and other classes that were in Tatum Court. An addition to the Joe & Virginia Tatum Theatre will be the new home for the theatre classes that were in Tatum Court.
William Carey University is currently enrolling for fall trimester. General registration will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 23 and classes start Monday, Aug. 28.