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Contact:  Karen Copetas, director of Admissions and Enrollment Planning, 650-3443 or Karen.Copetas@wwu.edu

BELLINGHAM – Western Washington University figures show that admission to the university continues to be highly sought by a diverse group of new freshmen and transfer applicants.

“Our students choose to attend Western for any number of reasons – academic excellence, a strong tradition of personal attention to students, respect for diversity, and beautiful surroundings. As a campus community we care about fulfilling potential and providing brighter futures,” said WWU President Bruce Shepard.

Applications for fall quarter for the 2009-10 academic year were exceptionally strong, including 9,610 freshmen applications and 2,208 transfer applications. Freshman applications exceeded last year’s record number and transfer applications show an 11 percent increase over last year, including an unusually large number of Washington residents planning to transfer from private or out-of-state colleges.

“Western will once again have an incredibly talented, inspiring and diverse incoming class,” said Karen Copetas, WWU director of Admissions and Enrollment Planning.

Reflecting changing demographics throughout the region, the number of students of color applying to WWU continues to increase.    

"Enrolling a student body that reflects the increasing diversity in our state is a priority at Western,” Copetas said.

The increasing diversity of the student body is reflected in WWU’s spring quarter enrollment figures, which show that 18.2 percent of all students enrolled reported their ethnicity as Black/African American, Hispanic, Asian American or Native American.  That compares with 16.9 percent in spring quarter 2008 and 13.2 percent in spring quarter 2000. 

“Although numbers are important, the campus-wide involvement and leadership of students from a wide range of ethnic, cultural, political, social and religious groups is the true mark of a welcoming, inclusive and dynamic community,” she said.

Copetas praised efforts of the many student-led organizations, including the Ethnic Student Center, Associated Students, Black Student Union, the African Caribbean Club, the Latino Student Union, MEChA and a number of others, in successfully reaching out to foster campus collaborations and to develop a community of leaders.  “Western is the place to be for all students who want to be actively involved in their campus community while also preparing to lead in their chosen professions and the greater community,” Copetas said.

Although numbers will not be final until the fall, Western is on track to meet its fall 2009 enrollment goals.

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