Oakland University officials announced today that fall 2007 enrollment stands at 18,082 students, marking a full decade of record growth at Oakland and a nearly 2 percent increase over last year’s headcount. Most staggering is the growth in the number of doctoral students enrolled at OU, with an increase of 33 percent over fall 2006 enrollment.

“Oakland University has reached the 18,000-student mark for the first time in our history,” said Oakland President Gary D. Russi. “We have strengthened our reputation as a university of distinction. It’s a tribute to the quality of our programs and faculty, the vibrant campus life we offer, and recognition statewide of the tremendous value of an Oakland University degree.”

The number of undergraduates is up 2.8 percent. This year, OU welcomed 2,340 first-year students, the university’s largest first-year class ever. Additionally, the percentage of students returning to OU for their second year increased to 73.3 percent, suggesting the success of OU’s innovative retention programs.

“Oakland University has been growing steadily for 10 years in a row, which is quite a milestone,” said Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Virinder Moudgil. “It is clear that more students are choosing Oakland. In particular, the remarkable enrollment jump in our doctoral programs is a testament to the fine research being done on our campus.”