East Central College began an historic academic year on Monday as more students than ever before were enrolled on the first day of classes.

East Central President Dr. Edward Jackson said as ECC begins the fortieth year of classes the college is poised to break all attendance records. Preliminary attendance figures released by the college show 3,487 students enrolled in 38,103 credit hours.  That is almost 700 more students than were registered on the first day of classes last year.  The number of credit hours is up 28 percent compared to the first day of classes last fall.

Jackson said the enrollment statistics were preliminary as students attended classes for the first time on Monday. Enrollment is up at the main campus in Union as well as sites in Rolla, Sullivan, Washington and Warrenton.