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Frosh set ACT record

Minority, Med Center enrollment hit new highs

More high-ability students continue to choose the University of Kansas as the entering first-time freshman class posted a record average ACT composite score of 24.6, fall enrollment records released today show.

The KU Class of 2010's test score is far above the national average of 21.7. The previous record was set in 2001 at 24.5. In addition, nearly a third of the freshmen scored 27 or higher out of 36 possible points, the highest percentage ever. Two students have perfect scores.

"Our goal over the years has not been ever-increasing enrollment but instead attracting more and more of the best and brightest students," said Chancellor Robert Hemenway. "Students learn from each other as well as from our professors. Ambitious and bright students who challenge each other to succeed are as important as KU's offerings of top quality academic programs, facilities and faculty. Excellence attracts excellence and that is what we see happening today all over KU."

Equally important, Hemenway noted, KU posted another record minority enrollment thanks to a 2.3 percent increase. The KU student body is more diverse than ever with 12.2 percent identifying themselves as Asian, Hispanic, African-American or American Indian. International student enrollment at KU increased 5.6 percent to 1,706.

Records also were set at the KU Medical Center campus in Kansas City, Kan., which posted its highest enrollment ever at 2,840, topping the 2,735 record set in 1993. This year's enrollment is 5.6 percent above 2005.

According to 20th day enrollment figures released today by the Kansas Board of Regents, KU enrollment overall is at its second highest level in history at 29,613, a decline of only 11 students from 2005's record enrollment of 29,624. There are 26,773 students on the Lawrence campus, a decrease of 0.6 percent from 2005's record enrollment of 26,934.

KU HISTORY

The Kansan, the campus newspaper that eventually became The University Daily Kansan, made its debut Sept. 17, 1904. The first headline read "Great Mass Meeting," referring to the establishment of the paper. "Students of KU Demand a Semi-Weekly - Faculty in Too - Every One Pledged to Support it."