LBW Community College is seeing an enrollment boom these days. LBWCC has set a record with over 1,700 students enrolled in credit classes fall semester, reflecting a pattern that state officials have witnessed every time the economy grows sluggish.

“These are tough economic times, there is no doubt about it. Our country needs a trained, educated workforce, and there aren’t a lot of dollars around to do it,” said Dr. Jim Krudop, director of the school’s Greenville campus.

“When students who are planning to get a bachelor’s degree come to us for those first two years, they save tremendously on tuition and on room and board, allowing them to put monies toward the completion of their education at a four-year college.”

Tuition at LBWCC is currently $1,080 per semester for 12 credit hours, less than half of the four-year university’s charge.

To further help with costs, the school is offering more online courses to save on fuel expenses. “More classes are also scheduled on a Monday-Wednesday or Tuesday-Thursday format which gives our students an option to travel two days a week instead of three or four,” Krudop said.

One of the reasons for LBWCC-Greenville’s growth in Butler County is the strong cooperative effort between the Butler County Schools System and the college.

“I can’t say enough about how well (superintendent) Mike Looney and the principals of all the high schools have responded to our dual enrollment program,” Krudop said.

Even with recession shadowing the stock market, LBWCC remains optimistic about future enrollments.

“When recessions hit, history shows you will see more people going back to school to get an education or technical training in order to make them more employable. We offer that to them right here at home,” Krudop said.

“I think our technical programs, in particular, are going to continue to grow and thrive. Unfortunately, people do get laid off and they need these workforce skills to regain employment.”

The community college also prides itself on the number of scholarships made available to its students.

“One of the reasons we hold that big golf tourney every year is to raise more money for scholarships. We want to help as many students as we can achieve their educational goals,” Krudop said.

He said the college would also welcome any former service members using the GI Bill to return to school.

“Many of those who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan have families and they need the extra assistance and the affordable education we can offer them,” the director added.

“I look at the strength of our college and see the strength of this community. This community has been very supportive of our school and that is much appreciated.”

Spring registration is slated for January 6, 2009 on the Greenville and MacArthur campuses and January 7, 2009 on the Andalusia campus and at the Luverne Center.

LBWCC Spring and Summer Schedules can be found on the college website at www.lbwcc.edu.