Shorter University’s preliminary enrollment numbers for the fall semester indicate a 25 percent growth in the traditional student enrollment over last year. As classes began Monday, Shorter’s head count topped 1,500. The fall 2009 enrollment was 1,205.

“We are thrilled to announce that our fall enrollment not only exceeds our 2010 goal but has us reaching our goal of enrolling 1,500 students on this campus two years ahead of schedule,” said President Harold E. Newman.

Enrollment in Shorter’s adult-degree and master’s programs has topped 2,000, bring the university’s total enrollment to 3,500 students, Newman said.

Shorter University will celebrate the official start of its 139th academic year on Wednesday with convocation, a traditional celebration signaling the introduction of incoming freshmen into the Shorter family. It also recognizes seniors as they enter into their last year as a Shorter University undergraduate.

Convocation begins at 9 a.m. when students meet with fellow classmates in their respective major departments. The formal ceremony begins at 10 a.m. inside the Winthrop-King Centre and will include an academic processional, comments from Newman and other university administrators, the singing of Shorter’s Alma Mater and an academic recessional. After the indoor ceremony, faculty and administrators walk to the top of Shorter Hill and cheer as incoming freshmen are lead through Shorter’s “Enter to Learn” gate.