Recruiting, student retention boost UW enrollment

The University of Wyoming's highest ever enrollment numbers at the start of the fall semester is being attributed to better recruitment and improved retention of students. UW counted 13,122 students this fall, an increase of 202 students from the 2011 fall semester. The previous record for fall enrollment was 12,992 in 2010. The number does not include Outreach School enrollment, which will be recorded later in the semester. UW Student Affairs Vice President Sara Axelson says enrollment at the state's only 4-year public university is strong. Axelson says UW has made a point of maintaining funding for student scholarships and increased spending on recruitment in the last year. She says UW also increased its freshman-to-sophomore retention rate from 73% to 76% this past year.