Tuesday, June 7, 2005
The number of graduates has grown by 11 percent in the last five years.
YOUNGSTOWN -- Youngstown State University's graduating class of 2004-05 was its largest in a decade.
The YSU records office reports that 2,025 students received diplomas during summer, fall and spring commencements, the most since 2,068 students graduated in 1995-96.
Since 2000-01, the number of graduates has grown by 203 students, or almost 11 percent in five years.
"These numbers are yet another indication of a dynamic institution that is on the move," YSU President David C. Sweet said.
Sweet said the Governor's Commission on Higher Education and the Economy recommended last summer that the number of Ohioans enrolled in higher education should be increased by 30 percent over the next 10 years.
"That is a lofty goal, but YSU is doing its part, as these graduation numbers reflect," Sweet said.
YSU's graduation numbers increased so much that for the first time the university split spring commencement into two ceremonies -- one for those receiving undergraduate degrees and the other for those earning graduate degrees.