QUINCY - First-year student enrollment at Quincy University stands at 235, up 46 percent from last year's fall 2006 total of 161, according to QU executive vice president Patricia Laytham. This year's number is also an increase from fall of 2005, when first-year student enrollment stood at 202.

Dr. David Schachtsiek, QU interim president, attributes the increase to an all out community-wide effort. "Everyone in the QU community came together and can share in this accomplishment," said Schachtsiek. "Our admissions department, faculty, coaches, staff, and even our students, made recruitment a top priority, and this increase is a result of all their hard work."

Syndi Peck, director of admissions, credits her staff working in partnership with the whole QU community for the success. "Our dedicated and talented admissions staff has done a fantastic job promoting not only our programs and services, but also the family atmosphere offered with a QU education," said Peck. "The entire community has tirelessly shared their time and talents to focus on these new students and their needs. It has been a wonderful experience."

During the spring and summer, faculty members met with potential students interested in their program, describing the curriculum and giving them a taste of what life at QU would be like in the classroom.

Rowan Cafun, instructor in management, is one of the professors who helped out in the new student advising process. "I've met so many new students in the last several months," said Cafun. "It's nice to get to know them and share a bond before they ever set foot in your classroom."

This year athletics worked particularly close with admissions in bringing new students to campus. "Our recruitment doesn't end once our scholarships are filled," said Hadley Foster, QU men's volleyball head coach. "We've worked closely with admissions in promoting athletics to bring a number of walk-on players to the teams."

QU's coordinator of learning enrichment services, Andrea Graham, has been busy this summer directing the Registration and Advisement (RAP) sessions. "Getting the students comfortable with their new surroundings is important," said Graham. "The students make new friends and feel connected to QU before the fall semester even begins."

Peck also commends her staff of student workers on their role in new student recruitment. John McTighe, junior accounting major, helps coordinate prospective student visits. "It's fun giving prospective students the campus tour and showing them everything QU has to offer," says McTighe. "We're all very proud to be Hawks and I think the visitors see that and it rubs off on them."

Quincy University recently held kickoff parties in Chicago, St. Louis and Quincy for new students in those areas. QU admissions counselors were by joined by current board members and alumni to welcome the new students.

"We're talking about an effort that extends far beyond the campus of Quincy University," said Schachtsiek. "When we say QU community, we mean everyone who is a part of Quincy University. Even our alumni and board members rallied to help us bring about this enrollment success."

Quincy University's total enrollment numbers will not be available until the add/drop period ends in September. For more information, contact the QU office of public relations at (217) 228-5275 or visit www.quincy.edu.