In the two years since the Virginia Tech massacre, the university has made strides in its academic, athletic and campus-safety programs.
The university has received more attention from high school students, with the number of applications jumping from 19,579 for the 2007-08 school year to 20,756 for the current year. The school received 21,201 applications for 2009-10.
Freshman enrollment increased from 5,185 in 2006-07 to 5,215 in 2007-08. This year's freshman enrollment was 5,601.
The grade-point averages and SAT scores of incoming freshmen have been increasing at a pace consistent with the national average, said Amy Widner, public relations coordinator for undergraduate admissions.
Tech's standing in the U.S. News & World Report's annual rankings improved from 77th among national universities in 2006 to 71st in 2007. Tech remained 71st when the rankings were released in August.
Because of space reasons, "we are having to not offer admission to students who we know would be successful here," Widner said.
The admissions department initially was concerned and uncertain about how the massacre might affect enrollment, Widner said. But Tech has continued to achieve one of its primary admissions goals: getting a freshman class of at least 5,000 students each fall.
The success of Tech's football team also hasn't hurt in spreading Tech's name recognition: The Hokies have won the past two Atlantic Coast Conference championship games. Last season, they won the Orange Bowl, one of college football's five most significant postseason games.
In terms of security on campus, Tech also has made some upgrades.
The university has installed electronic message panels inside classrooms to display alerts, and in two recent cases -- one a homicide, the other a false alarm about gunshots -- issued warnings to campus. Delays and spotty delivery, especially on the false-alarm alert, prompted measures to improve the systems.
Tech also is installing locks on classroom doors and now locks its dormitories 24 hours a day.
The university added 11 positions to its police force, added staff at the Cook Counseling Center, and says it is working closely with the local mental-health agency.
Contact Darryl Slater at (804) 649-6026 or dslater@timesdispatch.com.
Contact David Ress at (804) 649-6051 or dress@timesdispatch.com.
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