Henderson Gleaner

Henderson Community College's impressive enrollment growth is another annual reminder of the increasingly significant role the college plays in our area.

The unofficial fall enrollment figures released last week speak volumes:

- A leap of 22 percent to 2,580 over last fall's 2,113 enrollees.

- A jump of 18.8 percent in full-time equivalents, 1,084 compared to 912 last fall.

As its student numbers rise, HCC's outreach continues to expand thanks to the recent announcement that the college will assume operation of workforce training programs at the Paul Herron Jr. technology center on the campus of Union County High School.

In addition, HCC President Pat Lake noted that the college is "training 80 percent more people in our customized business and industry credit classes this fall."

What's more, the college is looking forward to next year's opening of the William L. Sullivan Technology Center, which will enrich the school's offerings and extend its outreach.

All signs point to the vitality of the institution and its growing stature in its primary service area of Henderson, Union and Webster counties. An announcement Thursday about HCC's "Fulfilling the Promise" capital campaign is expected to validate the area's confidence in the college's role.

As President Lake observed last week, "We are very optimistic that we will be able to enhance our programs and services in the future."