SAVANNAH – Record numbers of students packed into classrooms, hallways and parking lots at Savannah Technical College for the first day of the fall quarter. Early numbers show that 5,140 students are enrolled, marking a 12 percent increase from last year at this time when enrollment was 4,585 and a 34 percent increase over the summer quarter.

“It’s very early in the process and our final numbers will change,” College President Dr. Kathy S. Love said, “but we know that we will set a new record.”

The college has shown steady enrollment growth over the past decade, but recent quarters have shown significant growth.

“Certainly the economy has something to do with it,” said Love. “People reassess their career paths and often turn to technical education when times are tough. This, in addition to new and more flexible program scheduling, has lead to this phenomenal growth.”