Congratulations to Southern Polytechnic State University in Marietta, which is about to pass a significant milestone. That is, its enrollment is expected to pass the 5,000 threshold for the first time this fall.

"It really is a culmination of literally decades of work by faculty, staff, alumni and industry supporters," said President Dr. Lisa Rossbacher, who made the announcement during her annual State of the University speech last week.

What's now SPSU was founded in Chamblee 1948 as The Technical Institute, a two-year offshoot of the Georgia Institute of Technology. It opened its doors with 116 students, all but 10 of them recent veterans of World War II, and a staff of just 12.

A decade later, the school had shifted its base to Marietta, thanks largely to the efforts to woo it here by the Business and Public Affairs Committee of the Marietta Kiwanis Club. It opened in eight new buildings on a 120-acre site just off Cobb Parkway, and it has been growing ever since. Its campus has nearly doubled to 230 acres, and there are 35 buildings, many of them brand new and architecturally noteworthy, as befits what still by and large is an engineering school.

What's now SPSU became a four-year college in 1970 and a state university in 1996, and long ago gained its independence from Georgia Tech. Rossbacher is beginning her 12th year as president of SPSU, having taken over in August 1998.

These are not easy economic times for institutions of higher learning, or for anyone else. The state's colleges and universities are facing deep budget cuts, and just two weeks ago the state Board of Regents imposed mandatory staff furlough days in an effort to save $42 million system-wide.

"There's no question we're in a challenging environment right now, dealing with increasing enrollment and expanded programs," Dr. Rossbacher said.

"But this is a wonderful place to be. I have a huge sense of pride in this institution."

As well she should. It has thrived under her leadership - and will no doubt continue to do so.