Jan. 7, 2003

CONTACT: Gordon Ovenshine (724) 738-4854;  e-mail: gordon.ovenshine@sru.edu

SLIPPERY ROCK UNIVERSITY SCHEDULES SPRING SEMESTER ‘SATURDAY SHOWCASE’ OPEN HOUSES FOR PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS --

           SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – With interest in Slippery Rock University soaring, the Office of Admission has scheduled three “Saturday Showcase” open houses for prospective students and their families. Each showcase begins in the morning and runs through early afternoon, giving high school students a chance to experience campus, meet faculty and plug into Rock athletics and clubs. The dates:

 •        Saturday, Feb. 15

 •        Saturday, April 12

 •        Saturday, April 26

            SRU’s first-year freshmen enrollment increased nearly 8 percent in 2002-2003. Overall, enrollment topped 7,500 for the first time in eight years, including a 19 percent increase in minority students.  The Office of Admission schedules Saturday Showcases to help prospective students and their families feel comfortable about choosing Slippery Rock University.

Highlighting academic quality

           “Saturday Showcase is a very dynamic morning that highlights so many of the people and opportunities leading Slippery Rock University rapidly forward in both enrollment and academic quality,” says Jim Barrett, director of the Office of Admission.

 “Our goal is to get our guests talking with faculty from academic departments, staff from student service and campus life offices, as well as allowing our prospective students to spend time getting a ‘real world’ perspective of college life by visiting with current Slippery Rock students,” Barrett says. “It is an engaging way to learn about our university.”

 Not too late for fall 2003

 The Feb. 15 date is ideal for high school seniors making their final decision about college, says Mimi Conner, assistant admission director. “Even if students have visited a college once, choosing a college is such an important undertaking that a second visit is recommended. Showcase is a very convenient and comprehensive opportunity to do just that,” she says.

 To find out more about attending one or more of the Saturday Showcase open house events, visit www.SRU.edu and click on “admissions," then "Saturday Showcase," or call 800-929-4778. There is no fee.

 PN, PgN, WPN -