Schreiner University continues to go from strength to strength, as it welcomes a record number of students for the third year running. Schreiner president Dr. Tim Summerlin announced Friday that the 2008-09 academic year will see 1,011 students at Schreiner. Enrollment numbers at the University are up 30 percent in the past five years.

“I applaud our admission and financial aid staff and all on campus who are a part of recruiting efforts for successfully crossing the 1000-student threshold this year,” Summerlin said. “Given the national credit squeeze, which has affected student loans, transportation costs, and difficult economic times, this has been a particularly challenging year for student recruiting. But having a great place and a strong educational experience to market has been an asset. We definitely celebrate keeping momentum in our progress to a student body of 1,200.”

Schreiner’s growth in other areas is keeping up with the increasing size of its student body. A new freshman residence hall is in the planning stages and construction is expected to get under way this fall. Schreiner has hired new faculty in several departments to maintain the University’s 13:1 student/faculty ratio. The first stage of the Mountaineer Center for Health and Fitness is under construction and expected to open in 2009. The center will house athletics, campus recreation, a wellness center, fitness facility and classrooms.

The increased enrollment is good news for the community at large as well as for Schreiner. It is estimated that the University’s economic impact on the Kerrville area will be $70 million.

“We are thankful for the continued growth Schreiner is experiencing,” said Peg Layton, vice president for enrollment and student services and dean of students at Schreiner. “Once again we have welcomed the largest student body in the history of Schreiner University. Fortunately, support from friends of the University continues as well, allowing us to remain accessible to students from all economic backgrounds and to provide the new facilities required to keep pace with our growth.”

For more information about Schreiner University, visit our Web site at www.schreiner.edu or call the Admission office at 830-792-7217.