Thousands of New Orleans residents have been displaced because of the devastation of Hurricane Katrina this week. Among those having to find a temporary “home” are thousands of students who are enrolled at the universities in the areas hardest hit.

Several Nashville-area residents who were slated to begin classes at Loyola and Tulane Universities in New Orleans this week, have found a temporary college home at Lipscomb University in Nashville. Although classes began Aug. 22, Lipscomb administrators have worked with these students to admit them quickly and get them registered for classes pending the reopening of Loyola and Tulane.

“When these students called us we wanted to take them in and welcome them to our family during this difficult time. We want to help these students continue their college education for as long as they are with us. An unprecedented situation like this allows us to look at our mission and find new ways to serve,” said President Harold Hazelip.

These students will join the 2,525 regularly-enrolled students at Lipscomb this semester. Lipscomb welcomed more than 675 new students this fall, an increase of more than 13 percent from this time last year, Hazelip said.

The increase in new student enrollment comes as Lipscomb is in the process of building a new 77,000-square foot academic facility, which will be completed in Fall 2006.

“The large number of new students suggests that Lipscomb's distinctive approach to education has a strong appeal. I think it also reflects our increased focus on strengthening our programs at Lipscomb and in recruiting top-quality students,” said Hazelip.

Official enrollment numbers will be released Sept. 6.