Ottawa University in Surprise welcomes more students than expected
Aug 24, 2017, 6:34 AM
(Photo courtesy of Ottawa University)
(Photo courtesy of Ottawa University)
PHOENIX — School is back in session and officials at Ottawa University welcomed in their Surprise, Arizona, campus’ inaugural year with higher enrollment numbers than what was originally predicted.
The new residential campus in Surprise, Arizona, saw 434 students on its first day of classes, a nearly 50 percent increase from the university’s original projection of 300 students during the 2017-2018 school year.
In a recent press release, Ottawa University President Kevin Eichner praised the higher enrollment numbers, calling it a “testament to the high caliber academic and athletic programs, faculty and staff” at the university.
“Momentum for the new Surprise residential campus has been building since our announcement in February. Our leadership team has worked tirelessly to bring this wonderful new campus concept to fruition and we are thrilled at the initial reception by students, parents, and the community in general,” part of the release read.
Dennis Tyner, vice president and provost at Ottawa University Arizona, told KTAR News that a majority of students on campus are student-athletes. The campus has 21 different sports teams, all with full rosters, Tyner said.
“The place is abuzz with the students bouncing around here, between practices and classes and eating food, what have you. We have a lot of people roaming around the campus, which this campus hasn’t seen since its opening,” he added.
Classes at the campus, which will be embedded in the Surprise City Center, began on Aug. 21 for students. The campus offers a variety of degree programs to students, including biology, communications, history and psychology.
