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December 21, 2011
L.E. Fletcher Technical Community College has been named among the fastest growing two-year colleges in the nation.
The Louisiana Community and Technical College System listed Fletcher among six schools in the Bayou State that received that national designation in a report published by Community College Week.
According to that report, rankings were based on data collected for academic years involving 2009 and 2010, which posted an overall increase of 42 percent. For Fletcher, this listing is a repeat performance. Community College Week also made state rankings with Louisiana placing fourth in the nation with a 64 percent increase of students enrolled between 2001 and 2010.
“We are proud of our colleges for their continued growth and continued commitment to providing quality education for our students,” said LCTCS President Dr. Joe D. May. “Our goal is to provide our students with the skills necessary to meet Louisiana’s workforce needs. As our enrollment numbers continue to break records, we are providing an invaluable service to our state, and the results of this survey are a confirmation that we are supplying exactly what Louisiana needs in the areas of workforce development.”
“We are pleased to once again be named one of the fastest growing two year colleges in the nation,” Fletcher Vice Chancellor of Instruction William Tulak said. “This is a strong indication of the value that Fletcher offers to our community.
Tulak said that innovative instruction opportunities enhanced growth for Fletcher. “This growth would not be possible without the collaboration and partnership with Nicholls State University,” he said. “Together we will continue to serve as resource for the community by providing quality education and training.”
Louisiana two-year colleges listed as the top six include:
Enrollments 10,000 Students or More
• Delgado Community College, which was named the 8th fastest growing public two-year college in the nation with a 13 percent increase from 16,618 students in fall 2009 to 18,767 students in fall 2010.
Enrollments 2,500 to 4,999 Students
• River Parishes Community College was ranked as the nation’s fastest growing public two-year college with a 42 percent increase from 1,801 students in fall 2009 to 2,566 students in fall 2010.
• Sowela Technical Community College was named the 3rd fastest growing public two-year college with a 23 percent increase from 2,133 students in fall 2009 to 2,620 students in Fall 2010
Enrollments Lower Than 2,500 Students
• Louisiana Delta Community College was named the 7th fastest growing public two-year college with a 52 percent increase from 1,639 students in fall 2009 to 2,490 students in fall 2010.
• Nunez Community College was named the 18th fastest growing public two-year college with a 32 percent increase from 1,834 students in fall 2009 to 2,413 students in fall 2010.
• L.E. Fletcher Technical Community College was named the 21st fastest growing public two-year college with a 30 percent increase from 1,840 students in fall 2009 to 2,395 students in fall 2010.
Fall enrollment for 2011 was listed at 2,522 students.
Fletcher celebrated its 60th anniversary in November.
Originally opened in 1951 as the South Louisiana Trade School, the school underwent a series of changes and enhancements as it went through the second half of the 20th century and entered the 21st century prepared to enhance the local workforce and economy by preparing students for working trades.
In 1990, the school became known as the South Louisiana Regional Technical Institute.
SLRTI housed one of eight regional management centers formed by the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. BESE Region 3 composed campuses in Terrebonne, Lafourche, St. John and St. Mary parishes.
In 1995, the Louisiana legislature eliminated regional management centers and SLRTI became known as the Louisiana Technical College-South Louisiana Campus.
Three years later, the technical college’s main campus underwent another name change to pay tribute to former director, L.E. Fletcher.
By 2003, the entire institution had been designated as a technical community college and renamed L.E. Fletcher Technical Community College.
As construction progress continues at the new campus site on La. Highway 311 in Houma, L.E Fletcher Technical Community College is being recognized as one of the fastest growing two-year colleges in the nation. MIKE NIXON
