Over 1,700 Freshman Joining TTU This Fall

It will be a typical sized freshman class entering Tennessee Tech next week.

The university will see over 1,700 freshman join the student body this fall. Enrollment Management Vice President Brandon Johnson said the incoming class is bigger by about 40 students compared to last year.

“We had a great recruitment year,” Johnson said. “Even through COVID-19 and the uncertainty of a lot of the high school seniors and incoming freshman, we have done a good job of working them through orientation and our SOAR events.”

Overall, just under 10,000 students will enroll when classes resume Monday. President Phil Oldham expressed concerns of enrollment numbers earlier this summer. The numbers could change with classes not starting until next week.

“I think the uncertainties that we face with COVID, I think we feel good about where we are at, but yes, I do believe these numbers could adjust for the good and the bad. We are four or five days from classes, and we will continue to track them.””

Freshmen began to move in Sunday to participate in Tech’s Week of Welcome. Johnson said the university is supporting their students and encouraging safe practices.

“We are here for them, and we care for them,” Johnson said. “We are doing all that we can to keep them safe. But, they also have to do their parts to keep each other safe. It is a challenging time for them. There is anxiety, and there is uncertainty and concern. At the same time, we are seeing a lot of excitement and optimism.”