Back to Hub main page Feature Article Fall 2000 enrollment up Record enrollment totals on two campuses While most of the state’s two-year colleges and universities are experiencing declining enrollment, Walters State’s final enrollment report showed that the college’s credit student enrollment was up both in head count and in the calculation which measures the number of equivalent full-time students. With 6,163 students enrolled at all locations, the college experienced record enrollments in excess of 1,100 students on both its Greeneville campus and its new branch campus in Sevier County. “Given the fact that enrollment in colleges and universities is traditionally down during periods of economic growth and high employ- ment, we are pleased that Walters State’s programs and services are attracting an increasing number of students, especially those who are presently working but have elected to attend college,” said president Dr. Jack Campbell. “These students see the advantage of continuing their education and improving their position in the workforce,” he said. Campbell also credited the college’s employees for the increase in enrollment. “Our enrollemnt growth at this time is a testament to the hard work and effectiveness of our faculty and staff during this period of economic constraint on higher education,” he also said. Preparation under way for Second  Annual ‘Great Smoky Mountains State Fair’ Dates have been set for the 2^nd Annual Great Smoky Mountains State Fair, and fair organizers are already busy preparing for the event. The five-day fair will be held June 13-17, 2001, at the Walters State Great Smoky Mountains Expo Center in White Pine. “We were very encouraged by the community support for the first Great Smoky Mountains State Fair and hope to expand and grow each year,” said John Baldy, fair manager and director of the Expo Center. Baldy said that next year’s fair will once again include The Great James H. Drew Exposition. “We are very excited that the Drew Exposition is coming back. It’s one of the best, if not the best, carnival in the country,” said Baldy. Drew Exposition, which has been in continuous operation since 1949, set up 22 rides at last year’s fair, including the world’s largest portable Ferris wheel. Baldy said he hopes to involve more local schools in the fair by offering expanded youth arts, crafts and agricultural exhibits. Other new events under consideration for next year’s fair are a beauty pageant and various competitions, such as clogging and cheerleading contests. For more information about the 2^nd Annual Great Smoky Mountains State Fair, call (423) 318-2721.