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Local News

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Economy down, Owens' enrollment up
By MICHELLE REITER

STAFF WRITER

Enrollment at Owens Community College's Findlay campus continues to grow, even as the economy continues to flounder.

Summer enrollment numbers rose from 1,587 last year to an all-time high of 1,619 this year, a 2 percent increase.

Angie McGinnis, director of enrollment services at the Findlay campus, said that is the highest number of students ever enrolled for summer courses.

"I think we're still getting the flow of people from businesses downsizing or closing," she said.

Findlay Industries may be closing, and Honeywell in Fostoria has laid off employees, which means more people may need to learn new skills to find employment.

Between the Toledo and Findlay campuses, a record 8,576 students enrolled for the summer at Owens, which beats the previous record of 7,533 students set during the summer of 2004.

Between the two campuses, enrollment has increased 19.3 percent this year for summer classes.

The economy is not the only reason for the increase, McGinnis said. More "transient" or "guest" students are also going to Owens, she said.

Guest students are those who may attend a four-year university during the regular school year, but go to Owens to pick up extra credit hours during summer break, which would then transfer to their four-year schools.

Owens is also offering more online classes, which are attracting more students because they can enroll in classes from wherever they are.

This summer, 3,871 students are taking e-Learning courses at both campuses, a jump from 3,238 last summer.

The school also anticipates an enrollment surge this fall.

McGinnis said as of Monday, 6,821 people have enrolled at Owens' Findlay campus for the fall semester, almost 1,000 more than the number enrolled for the fall semester at the same time last year. Full-time enrollment for both campuses is up 24 percent so far.

Ohio legislators have approved freezing tuition at community colleges for another two years, which means tuition at Owens will remain as it was in 2008 and 2009.

Reiter: 419-427-8497,

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Lauger's Carpet One
News Briefs Work scheduled on Findlay streets
Findlay's Main Street, northbound, will be reduced at times to one lane between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. for waterline connection.

Main Street will not be accessible from East Lincoln Street. Lincoln Street will be closed to through traffic from South Main Street to South Blanchard Street from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for continued improvement work. Access to local businesses and residents only will be maintained.

Recount planned in trustee's race
OTTAWA -- After certifying election results on Wednesday, the Putnam County Board of Elections has announced a recount will be required for the Union Township trustee race, according to Deputy Director Shelly Burkhart.

The recount will be completed on Wednesday at the county elections board office, 336 E. Main Street, Ottawa.

Incumbent Daniel R. Ellerbrock has secured his position on the board, earning 685 votes. However the remaining trustee spot will require a recount as Gery P. Wurth earned 598 votes and Mark J. Kahle collected 601 votes, according to official results.

An automatic recount is necessary if the margin is within one-half of 1 percent of total votes cast, according to state law.

Road to be closed
Forest Lake Drive, between Marion Township 237 and Indian Lake Drive/Forest Lane, will be closed today for a pipe installation.

The road is expected to open by 5 p.m., weather permitting.

Motorists are advised to use Township 242.