The 2021 Freshman class has made groundbreaking news at USAO. President John Feaver said there has been an 80% increase in enrollment compared to last year, and a 40% increase compared to the years before COVID-19.

For the first time in over 20 years, the freshman class has over 250 students. Feaver said this could be due to the expanded media marketing over the last year, or even the decrease in COVID-19. As a result of COVID-19, USAO was forced to transfer recruiting techniques to online.

“We have an admissions team and a recruiting team that has expertise and talent. We have been able to stabilize and utilize these core people for a couple of years now. That has got to be a major feature in why this freshman class is so huge, is that expertise, experience, and cohesiveness,” said Feaver.

Feaver said that the school has already implemented plans to make accommodations for continued high enrollment numbers. He said he hopes to see the university reach 1200 students before he retires.

“We are about 95% capacity in housing this semester. We have about 25 open beds left and hope to continue this growth as a school, but it is going to put an extraordinary pressure on residential housing. Sid Hudson, the head of the foundation, has already started the ball to bring Wilburt back online. That will give us another 150 spaces on campus for residents.” Says Feaver.

The Communications and Marketing department at USAO sent a letter earlier this month reviewing the increases of enrollment and the excitement of all staff and faculty, especially President John Feaver. One of the main points that the letter hit is the expanded recruiting projects and upkeep of current students. Zachary McGrew, Media Manager wrote in the letter, “Over the past few years, the university has embarked on a number of important strategic projects to better serve the current students and spread the word about Science & Arts’ unduplicated role in Oklahoma’s higher education system.”

Natalie Deela is a freshman communication major from Coalgate, OK.