(Press release)

Belton, Texas - The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor has enrolled their largest number of students in the university's 164-year history, according to the official eighth-day enrollment figures.

The official enrollment for fall 2009 is 2,768 students compared to 2,701 students in fall 2008. Fall enrollment includes 2,547 undergraduate students and 221 graduate students.

This also includes the largest freshman class on record with 597 students. The previous record freshman class had 512 students in fall 1998, the year the university started Crusader football.

According to Ron Brown, associate vice president for enrollment management, the university deliberately continues to be strategic in managing its growth.

"We must be constantly mindful of our growth, because we are focused on keeping our class sizes small and personal," said Brown. "We take deliberate steps to maintain a steady yet slow growth, allowing us to provide students with more individualized attention."

The university places an emphasis on keeping class sizes small in comparison to larger universities. The current student-to-faculty ratio is 14:1, and most courses have a maximum number of 30 students or less.
UMHB was chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas. It is a private, Christian university affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas. The university is known for its personal attention to students and for a high academic success rate.

According to their mission, UMHB prepares students for leadership, service and faith-informed discernment in a global society. Academic excellence, personal attention, broad-based scholarship and a commitment to a Baptist vision for education distinguish UMHB's Christ-centered learning community.