Despite the struggling economy, things are looking up at Missouri University of Science and Technology, with growth in enrollment, private giving and research funding, Missouri S&T Chancellor John F. Carney III said Tuesday (April 28, 2009).

Addressing students, faculty and staff in his Spring 2009 State of the University Address, Carney pointed out that the fall 2009 freshman class is expected to be one of the largest and most talented ever.

“The freshman class is projected to be 54 percent larger than the freshman class of 2000,” Carney said, “and these students are extremely well prepared for success at Missouri S&T.”

Carney noted that the incoming freshman class includes eight students who scored a perfect 36 on their ACT scores and two with perfect SAT scores of 1600. The average ACT composite score for all incoming freshmen is 28.06, he added.

Carney also pointed out that the university’s “Advancing Excellence” fundraising campaign is ahead of schedule. As of March 31, Missouri S&T has raised $173.2 million in private funds in the campaign, which is scheduled to end June 30, 2010. The university’s goal is to raise $200 million through the campaign.

In addition, Carney reported that $38.45 million in research funding has been awarded so far in the 2008-2009 fiscal year, an increase of 13.5 percent.

Slides from Carney’s address are available on the chancellor’s website under the “Presentations” link.