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Credit hour enrollment is up even more, 28 percent, from fall 2008. Students enrolled in some 38,103 hours this semester.
President Dr. Edward Jackson said while the enrollment statistics are preliminary, the college is poised to break all attendance records.
While final enrollment figures, which include area high school students taking part in dual enrollment, won't be available until after the fourth week of classes, officials already are excited.
"Our entire staff has worked tirelessly this summer to prepare for the influx of new students," Jackson said. "More than 50 classes had to be added to accommodate the increase in enrollment. We're fortunate to have classroom space available in our new health and science building."
The college completed construction of the new building just before the start of the spring 2009 semester. This school year will mark the first full year the new building will be open.
All of the college's parking lots were repaved or resealed over the summer as well.
Some areas in the classroom building also were remodeled over the break.
One challenge, Jackson acknowledged, was finding qualified instructors.
"We've hired new instructors as well as given a heavier course load to some of our current faculty members," he told The Missourian last month.
The college also held extra assessment sessions for those wishing to enroll earlier this month.
Only about a month ago, on July 20, enrollment was at 2,681 for the fall, meaning an additional 800-plus students registered in the last four weeks.
Enrollment is up not only at the main campus in Union as well as sites in Rolla, Sullivan, Washington and Warrenton.
"Half of our students are starting their college education here at ECC before they transfer to a four-year college or university," Jackson said.
Besides the traditional recent high school grads, another segment of students have found their way to ECC.
"We have more than 250 students who have lost their jobs or are dealing with some severe financial hardships and qualified for retraining funds," Jackson said. "Many are looking at today's economy and have decided to return to college to gain new skills."
About 64 percent of students are full time, taking 12 or more credit hours.
The figures mark a sharp contrast from the college's beginnings.
Classes started for the first time on Sept. 15, 1968.
At the time, the roughly 460 students filled rented spaces in the Union Memorial Auditorium and the A.M.E. Church.
That same year the 114-acre tract that now makes up the campus was purchased.
At the time, students enrolled in 9,949 credit hours.
Thirteen full-time and 13 part-time faculty plus a few administrators made up the entire staff of what was then called East Central Junior College.
The college changed its name in 1980.
The college now has 202 full-time employees including 73 faculty, 48 administrative and professional staff and 81 support staff, said Dot Schowe, director of public relations.
Another 160 part-time instructors and 27 part-time support staff boost the ranks further.
Community colleges across the country have been experiencing significant enrollment increases this fall.
"Community colleges are booming as Americans look for quality, affordable educational options. Historically, community colleges see increases in enrollment during downturns in the economy," Jackson said.
