Southeast Missouri State University's fall enrollment is up for the first time in five years, elated school officials said Tuesday.

Enrollment stood at 7,783 students on the first day of classes Monday, an increase of 110 from last year.

The big boost in enrollment was in beginning freshmen, which stood at 1,459, an increase of 217 students or 15 percent from fall 1994. It marked the largest increase in the number of beginning freshmen at Southeast since 1981.

The number of seniors and graduate students also increased, but there were fewer returning freshmen, sophomores and juniors.

University officials rejoiced over the overall enrollment gains.

They said the decline in the sophomore class reflects the smaller freshman class of a year ago.

Reversing a steady slide in enrollment was a top priority of Dr. Kala Stroup when she took over as university president in July 1990.

"I think it is a real upper for her and for the people who have been here for the last four or five years to see the strategy pay off in this way," said Art Wallhausen, assistant to the president.

"It appears the institution has turned the corner on enrollment and that is something we have been waiting for," he said.

Wallhausen said the school's decision to impose tougher admission standards has helped attract students.

Southeast has seen enrollment gains in the number of students who have ACT scores in the 19 to 27 range.

Nearly half of the 1989 freshman class wouldn't meet today's admission standards, officials said.

Juan Crites, admissions director, said, "We are quickly becoming recognized as one of the quality institutions in the Midwest. Our academic reputation has improved dramatically over the last several years.

"We are the kind of institution students are seeking more," she added. "We are affordable. We are safe. We are comprehensive and we offer a lot, including the five most popular majors at public institutions nationally -- pre-medicine, business, education, psychology and engineering."