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State universities and colleges hand out record-number degrees

LOUISVILLE Ky.

Public universities and colleges reached a record recently, handing out more than 43,900 degrees and credentials during the last academic year, state officials said.

There were 43,902 degrees and credentials issued during the 2006-07 school year, state officials said Friday. That accounts for a 3.3 percent increase from the previous year.

It also continues a trend that started in 1997, when Kentucky lawmakers passed legislation aimed at boosting higher education for citizens.

“This is excellent news,” said Charles McGrew, director of information and research for the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education. “It just continues to go up every year.”

The Kentucky Community and Technical College System accounted for more than half of the awards last year that were either diplomas, certificates and associate’s degrees. Meanwhile, state schools awarded more than 14,700 bachelor’s degrees.

David Adkisson, president and CEO of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, said the numbers were good news.

“Business people are increasingly interested in a skilled work force because that’s the only way to remain competitive in an information-driven society,” Adkisson said.

The University of Louisville had the largest growth among state schools. U of L increased the number of bachelor’s degrees it awarded by 3.3 percent up to 2,328. Meanwhile, the University of Kentucky conferred 3,613 bachelor’s degrees, which is the most in state history.

Kentucky’s goal is to double the number of adults with bachelor’s degrees to 791,000 by 2020.

Information from: The Courier-Journal, https://www.courier-journal.com/

– Associated Press



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