A small four-year private college in Winfield, south of Wichita, has experienced record enrollment this fall.
Southwestern College has enrolled 272 new students, more than half of the total student body.
College spokeswoman Kadee Riggs-Johnson says the school, which has an overall enrollment of about 500, attributes the growth to robust recruiting, and possibly, a newly added baseball program.
"We say often that we’re small, but we're not rinky-dink and we offer an amazing experience to students that’s transformative and allows them to grow and to meet their potential," Riggs-Johnson says.
Riggs-Johnson says Southwestern plays up the small town atmosphere. The Winfield community joins in by hosting events for students throughout the year.
The college also makes sure to take prospective students up the 77 steps of the administration building overlooking the campus and the Walnut Valley.
"You know, I kind of say we’ve kind of got a competitive advantage on watching sunsets here," Riggs-Johnson says.
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Carla Eckels is assistant news director and the host of Soulsations. Follow her on Twitter @Eckels.
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