Enrollment at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke continued to surge ahead this fall, Chancellor Allen C. Meadors reported to the Board of Trustees on Aug. 28.

Although the number is still tentative, enrollment in the fall semester is 6,235. It is a five percent increase over last fall and a 110 percent increase over a 10-year period.

The freshman class, 1,075 strong, is actually smaller than last year's class, but record numbers of transfer, graduate and international students filled the gap. There are 598 new transfer students, 117 international students and 712 graduate students.

Average SATs and grade point averages of freshmen continued to march upward also. SAT scores were 964 compared with 949 last year, defying a national decline in the scores that predict academic performance of freshmen.

Residence halls are nearly full again this fall with 1,651 beds occupied and 54 vacancies. Another 1,110-plus students are in private housing near campus.

The new class of North Carolina Teaching Fellows set a record with 20 enrolled. Students seeking teaching certificates are also at an all-time high with 1,270 enrolled.

"There is progress in every corner of campus," Meadors said. "It's just amazing, amazing."

Retention of students from freshman to sophomore year remained steady and above 70 percent for the second consecutive year. The UNC system average is approximately 78 percent.

"We have a history of a down year following an up year, so we have good news to report," Meadors said.

In other matters, Neil Hawk, vice chancellor for the Office of Business Affairs, reported that UNCP spent $1.2 million on campus improvements over the summer, including major improvements to the Quad in front of Locklear, Moore and D.F. Lowry buildings. Renovation work was completed to make way for the Division of Information Technology's move to a former residence hall on the Odom Children's Home campus.

The next Board of Trustees meeting is Dec. 4 at 12:30 p.m. in Lumbee Hall.