Posted on August 22, 2002 at 2:01 p.m.

BIRMINGHAM, AL — Freshmen enrollment at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) hit a new record for the 2002-03 academic year with 1,467 students reporting for the first day of classes, August 21.

“This number represents a 12 percent increase in the number of incoming freshmen from last year,” said Sue McKinnon, associate vice president for enrollment management. “Freshmen enrollment of African-American students also increased by 9 percent to 533, bringing the percentage of the entering class who are African-American to 36 percent.

“We have been working diligently to share information about UAB’s academic programs and student life, and we are seeing a steady increase in enrollment,” McKinnon said. “UAB has seen a 25 percent increase in entering freshmen since 1998 when 1,175 freshmen enrolled, compared to 1,467 this fall.”

The first day of classes also saw a drop in the average age of incoming freshmen — from 19.5 years in 2001 to 18.46 years of age. ACT scores were up — from 21.8 in 2001 to 21.9. The average grade point average was 3.11.

“The national average for ACT scores actually dropped slightly this year to 20.8,” said Virginia Gauld, Ph.D., vice president for student affairs. “It is clear that we are not only attracting more students, we are attracting more of the best students. We have the academic programs young people want, and we are well on our way to expanding student life opportunities on campus.”

In June, the University of Alabama Board of Trustees approved the building of a new $24.5 million campus recreation center to be built on the site of the Garden Apartments, between south 15th and 16th streets along University Boulevard.

The center will be financed by UAB plant funds, gifts and UAB bond funds. Last year, the eight-story, apartment-style Blount residence hall opened.

UAB also saw a 16 percent increase in transfer students with 914 attending first-day classes.

“The word’s out about UAB,” said Malcolm Portera, UAB interim president. “This is a vital, comprehensive university, and more and more traditional-aged students are seeing that. UAB’s reputation for quality academic programs, research and opportunities for its students is clearly evidenced by the fact that our freshmen enrollment is up.”