MOBILE, Ala. — The University of South Alabama has enrolled a record number of students this semester, and Baldwin County high schools are feeding the growth. The Mobile-based institution announced last week that 14,279 students are enrolled at USA for the fall semester, representing a 276-student increase from one year ago.

The university also enrolled a record 4,109 new students entering USA for the first time. These include new freshman and transfer students.

USA drew new freshmen from more than 300 high schools nationwide, with 20 schools named as top feeder schools. Among them are Daphne High School, with 46 students enrolling as new USA freshmen this semester; Fairhope, 25; Spanish Fort, 17 and Foley High, 15. Two other high schools listed, McGill-Toolen and St. Paul’s Episcopal School, are both in Mobile, but traditionally attract students from Baldwin County.

USA also reported a historic number of students living on campus, with around 2,600 now residing in the dorms and other campus-owned housing. USA drew 2,734 students into its graduate programs.

Dr. J. David Stearns, associate vice president for enrollment services, said, “It wasn’t a surprise. We had been planning for a 300- or 400-student increase, and we think we will be doing it for the foreseeable future.”

He said around 500 additional students can easily be assimilated into classrooms each semester with the addition of new faculty. Stearns added, “We’re pleased with the number of students coming to USA.”

Asked if a decline in enrollment at Bishop State Community College in the wake of an academic and financial scandal there led to the increase at USA, Stearns said he doesn’t believe that to be the case. Bishop State officials recently cited a bump in student enrollment as its new president, Dr. James Lowe, continues putting the two-year school’s house in order.

“It’s a matter of choice and a matter of the quality of the academic programs we offer,” Stearns said. He pointed out USA continues to attract “highly talented students with higher ACT scores.

A new doctorate degree in nursing is being offered at USA, along with a new doctorate in psychology. Stearns said both are evidence of USA’s academic growth.

Another area where the university has shown growth is the addition or planned addition of new facilities. Among them are a library expansion completed a few years ago, the new Meisler Hall (student services building), the Health Sciences building expected to be completed in the fall of 2009, a new $50 million engineering school to be built at the corner of Old Shell Road and University Boulevard in Mobile, a new recreation center adjacent to Stanky Field and an alumni bell tower that will see construction begin in two or three months.

“It says the university is ready to explode with the recognition and stature of the institution,” Stearns said. “It not only shows we’re student-centered, but also that our institution is moving forward.”

“Due to the growing quality and diversity of our academic programs, USA has seen substantial enrollment increases over the last 10 years,” said USA President Gordon Moulton. “We believe that this year’s growth was further enhanced by enrichment of the campus experience, including the decision to start football and marching band programs, which will debut at our inaugural football game one year from this semester.”

According to officials, USA’s affiliation with Auburn University on the doctor of pharmacy degree program also continues to pay dividends this fall as 24 doctoral students enrolled in AU’s Harrison School of Pharmacy at the Mobile campus. USA also reported 385 pre-pharmacy undergraduate students — a 50 percent increase from one year ago.

The Alabama Commission on Higher Education has not yet compiled fall enrollment numbers, but ACHE data indicates USA has consistently been one of the state’s fastest growing universities in recent years. They noted USA also grew in academic quality as well. The entering freshman class included 134 students with ACT scores of 28 and above, and 61 with 30 and above.

USA this past year graduated 2,422 students, bringing the historical number of degrees awarded by the University to more than 62,000.

“A big part of this is due to the leadership of the president,” Stearns said. “When you can do this, it really bodes well for the future of the institution.”

• FYI •

USA’s college and school enrollment for 2008:

Arts and Sciences: 4,121

Education: 2,073

Nursing: 2,305

Business: 1,857

Allied Health Professions: 1,575

Engineering: 1,042

Medicine: 548

Computer and Information Sciences: 403

Continuing Education and Special Programs: 350