Distance Learning reaches record enrollment

Enrollment in Liberty University’s Distance Learning Program topped the 25,000 student mark for the first time on Tuesday.

Enrollment figures for the program were confirmed by LU Registrar Lawrence Shackleton in an e-mail to school officials.

Officially, the 25,000th student enrolled at about 9:15 a.m.

School officials announced the enrollment to the student body during the school’s Wednesday convocation. DLP staff members were told of the achievement on Tuesday.

“They stood up in their cubicles and applauded,” Kennedy said.

The late Dr. Jerry Falwell, Liberty University’s founder, several years ago set a goal of having 25,000 students in both the school’s resident and distance learning enrollments.

“It’s exciting,” said Ronald S. Kennedy, executive director of Distance Learning and Graduate Studies. “It has been one of those milestones that have been out there for years.”

Two years ago, the Distance Learning Program finished with less than 13,000 students.

“We are hoping to surpass 27,000 students by early June,” Kennedy said. “We’ll grow from 18,000 last fiscal year to 27,000 this fiscal year.”

Kennedy sees God’s will in the program’s rapid growth.

“I want to give tribute to God’s blessing,” Kennedy said. “You can’t humanly take credit for that. There’s got to be God involved in that. It’s such an amazing thing.”