As USC-Union’s enrollment grows, the harder it is for people to understand why S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford would want to close the school.

Earlier this year, Sanford proposed eliminating USC-Union, along with the University of South Carolina’s two-year branches in Allendale and Lancaster counties, as a way of saving money. He said that students at those schools could attend two- or four-year colleges located within a 30-mile drive.

USC-Union’s latest enrollment figures illuminate the folly of Sanford’s proposal: As of last Tuesday, 494 students were enrolled for the fall semester, exceeding the 1993 record of 459. Enrollment last year was 366.

Dr. Hugh Rowland, dean of the university, said he would like nothing better than to see enrollment top 500 students.

“What a great message to send to Columbia about the kind of community we have here in Union,” he said.

Several factors have contributed to the increased enrollment — 120 new students are recent high school graduates and 70 new students have been added from the USC-Union Laurens Center.

The school now offers two four-year degree programs, which allows students to stay home and take all of their course work at USC-Union.

Affordable tuition is another plus for the university — it is lower than that of any other four-year school in South Carolina. Most students receive either 100 percent of their tuition through LIFE scholarships or other financial aid.

Officials cite the schools’ experienced staff as another plus for recruiting students.

The importance of USC-Union is obvious to those whose lives have been touched by it — either by attending classes there or knowing someone else who has.

Plans are in the works for a master plan which will make the USC-Union campus the focal point of Main Street’s eastern end.

We hope USC-Union continues to grow — the rest of Union County will reap the benefits.