High school seniors from around Arkansas and beyond filled Tucker Coliseum on Thursday morning for the opening session of Time Out for Tech 2016, a preview day for prospective college students hosted by the Arkansas Tech University Office of Admissions.
There were 1,607 high school seniors on hand for the opening session at Tucker Coliseum. Including parents and families, 2,972 individuals attended Time Out for Tech 2016.
The opening session was followed by academic break-out sessions, campus tours, lunch at the various dining options on campus and a photo opportunity with Jerry the Bulldog, campus ambassador.
Time Out for Tech provides high school seniors and their families with a chance to learn more about the academic programs, student housing options and campus life opportunities available on the Russellville campus.
Spencer Hurlbut of Russellville is interested in studying nursing at Arkansas Tech. She learned more about the Golden Girls dance team and Greek life during Time Out for Tech.
“There are a lot of people at Tech, and that’s really appealing to me,” said Hurlbut. “I think it is a strength that people want to be here. It’s definitely larger than some people think. I really like to help people, and I hope to one day be a traveling nurse. College takes you a lot of places, and the path to earning the degree will help me meet a lot of people who will be beneficial in my life.”
Enrollment at Arkansas Tech has grown by 184 percent since 1997. The university has established a new record for enrollment in each of the last 17 years, including a school-record 12,054 students for fall 2015.
Austin Cunningham of Prairie Grove became interested in Arkansas Tech following a recommendation from his math teacher, Tech alumnus Evan Hubbard.
Cunningham, who plans on studying business, said that he believes campus safety is one of the strengths of Arkansas Tech.
“I’ve taken a tour before and loved the campus, so I wanted to come back today and see what Time Out for Tech was all about,” said Cunningham. “I’m hoping to learn some helpful tips that will help me get through college. Earning a degree will give me the foundation for the rest of my life so that I can provide for myself and my family. I know it’s going to be some work, but it’s going to be worth it.”
Arkansas Tech has been one of the three largest universities in the Natural State for the last two years.
The “Almanac of Higher Education” published by The Chronicle of Higher Education has named Arkansas Tech one of the 10 fastest-growing master’s degree granting universities in the United States each of the last three years.
“I’ve been to many of the other events at Tech, and I really wanted to come back and get another feel for it,” said Christin Munnerlyn of Carlisle, who wants to major in agriculture business at Arkansas Tech. “I want to look at some of the residence hall rooms again because this is the last time I’ll visit before I come to school here in the fall. I like that Tech is a bigger school, but it doesn’t have the feel of one. I’m comfortable here. I’m from a small town, so this will be a different experience for me.”
Darius Bunch of Lonoke said he has already been accepted to Arkansas Tech, and he came to Time Out for Tech seeking more information about the academic programs available on campus.
“I’ve heard that the basketball games and all that are great, and there are good restaurants in town,” said Bunch. “Russellville seems like a place I’d like to live. I’m looking forward to the grown-up stage of life. College will help me start my life, plan for the future and get a good job.”
Fischer Huey of Cabot came for an Arkansas Tech campus tour during the Thanksgiving break. He came back on Thursday to learn more about financial aid, Greek life and other registered student organizations at the university.
“I believe that Arkansas Tech is more close-knit than some universities I’ve toured, and I like that,” said Huey. “There’s a low student-to-faculty ratio here, and that’s important. That personal attention helps students know that their professors will do whatever it takes to help them succeed. I definitely get that feeling here.”
For information about applying to become a student at Arkansas Tech University, call (800) 582-6953 or (479) 968-0343. Learn more at www.atu.edu/admissions.
