NASHVILLE (TSU News Service) – The figures are in and as students were welcomed back this fall, faculty and staff are enthusiastic over the boost in enrollment numbers. This fall’s new incoming freshmen and transfer student populations, along with returning students are the highest the University has seen in its 100-year history.

Tennessee State University’s preliminary enrollment report for the 2011-12 academic year shows enrollment has risen to 9,165 students, a 2.6 percent increase from the previous academic year.

“Our growth is a testament to the high quality of TSU’s undergraduate and graduate programs,” said TSU President Dr. Portia H. Shields. “We are committed to being the best public institution in Nashville, and with our nationally ranked programs, we are well on our way to becoming the premier HBCU in the nation.”

Enrollment figures collected on the eleventh day of classes are up nearly three percent from last fall’s figures, and include 7,105 undergraduate and 2,060 graduate students. Along with the increase in enrollment, retention rates from 2010 to 2011 for freshmen year to sophomore year rose more than 3 percent.

“These enrollment numbers tell a great story about Tennessee State University,” said Dr. John Cade, Associate Provost. “They show that students are selecting TSU as their university of choice because of our reputation for academic excellence and because we meet the needs of our students.”

The University also saw an increase of new students this year over previous years. The Office of Admissions reports 2,581 freshman; 1,152 first-time freshmen; 640 transfers and 559 re-admitted students for a total of 2,351students not previously on campus.

The Class of 2015 comes from one U. S. territory, 31 foreign countries, and more than 45 states, including: California, Texas, Illinois, Florida, Hawaii and Alaska.

“We are very pleased with the positive momentum at Tennessee State University,” said Dr. Shields. “As we prepare to celebrate our 100th anniversary, I am most grateful that we continue to grow stronger in providing an excellent, value-driven education that is consistent with our mission of research, life-long education and commitment to service we first embraced in 1912.”