ACADEMIC UPDATE!!! Part 27 (Continuing the Momentum)

[ROBERTUS]

ACADEMIC UPDATE!!!! Part 27 (Continuing the Momentum!!!)
*originally posted December 22, 2004.

The University of Alabama has always provided a top-shelf national quality education to its students. Instead of resting on its laurels, UA has continued to strive and push to be even better. In recent years, this push has created a momentum that is taking The University of Alabama to an even higher level. The following are some examples of how The University of Alabama continues to move forward at a rapid pace.

-The University of Alabama is listed as one of “America’s Best 100 College Buys” in the 2004-05 annual report of Institutional Research and Evaluation. Institutional Research and Evaluation is an independent research and consulting organization that annually identifies the 100 American colleges and universities that “provide students with the highest quality education at the lowest cost”.

-The Princeton Review has ranked the Manderson MBA program at The University of Alabama in the top five in the nation in several categories. In the report, released in September 2004, The University of Alabama ranked fourth for Best Campus Facilities, fourth for Best Administered Program, and fifth for Best Professors.

-The University of Alabama finished well nationally in the fifth annual National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), co-sponsored by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The study is designed to provide a comprehensive assessment of the actual behaviors in which students engage during their college experience. Scores for UA seniors were higher than the composite scores for other doctoral degree granting universities on the level of academic challenge, active and collaborative learning, student-faculty interactions, and a supportive campus environment. Alabama's seniors scored within one half of one percent of the average for seniors on enriching educational experiences. These data are very positive indicators of the quality of the education at The University of Alabama and will be included in UA’s report to be submitted to SACS in the Spring of 2005.

-The economics faculty in The University of Alabama’s Culverhouse College of Commerce ranked third among all SEC member institutions in major publications, according to a study published in the Journal of the European Economic Association. The University of Florida and Vanderbilt University were the only universities ranked ahead of UA.

-Dateline Alabama, the news website of the College of Communication and Information Science at The University of Alabama, was named by the Society of Professional Journalists as the BEST independent college website in the Nation. This award contie fifth annual National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), co-sponsored by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The study is designed to provide a comprehensive assessment of the actual behaviors in which students engage during their college experience. Scores for UA seniors were higher than the composite scores for other doctoral degree granting universities on the level of academic challenge, active and collaborative learning, student-faculty interactions, and a supportive campus environment. Alabama's seniors scored within one half of one percent of the average for seniors on enriching educational experiences. These data are very positive indicators of the quality of the education at The University of Alabama and will be included in UA’s report to be submitted to SACS in the Spring of 2005.

-The economics faculty in The University of Alabama’s Culverhouse College of Commerce ranked third among all SEC member institutions in major publications, according to a study published in the Journal of the European Economic Association. The University of Florida and Vanderbilt University were the only universities ranked ahead of UA.

-Dateline Alabama, the news website of the College of Communication and Information Science at The University of Alabama, was named by the Society of Professional Journalists as the BEST independent college website in the Nation. This award continues a tradition of high rankings and other awards for the website.

-On December 18, 2004, Earnest Shelton became the 15th senior, of 15, that head basketball coach Mark Gottfried has graduated in his four-and-a-half year tenure. Shelton, an excellent business student, graduated within three-and-a-half years and was selected Academic All-SEC. The 100% graduation rate of basketball players who have finished their careers at UA is unmatched by any other coach in the Southeastern Conference.

-Graduates from The University of Alabama School of Law continue to impress with a very-high passage rate for the Alabama Bar exam. Of the May 2004 graduates, 98.5% passed the July exam. The average for ALL law schools statewide was 86.4%.

As you can see, The University of Alabama is on the move. In the coming months, some major announcements will be proof that UA is headed for even higher ground. Until then, ROLL TIDE FOREVER!!!!

 

[ROBERTUS]

Part 26

ACADEMIC UPDATE!!!! Part 26 (The Timeless Pursuit!!!)
*originally posted August 24, 2004.

This begins the sixth year of a continuing series of Good News FACTS about academics at the Capstone!!! As The University of Alabama continues to climb the academic ladder, one has to wonder when the ultimate goal will be achieved. The answer is, NEVER!!! The pursuit of excellence is timeless. It will continue until the end of time because, as good as it gets, it can always get better. The University of Alabama is setting its sights on being one of the very TOP universities in the Nation. Progress is being made, but, MUCH more progress is on the way. The future is very bright!!! The following are some current success stories. Enjoy!!!

-The 2005 edition of U.S. News and World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” has ranked The University of Alabama the top university in the state and one of the “top 40” Public Universities in the Nation. The University of Alabama is the ONLY college or university in the state to be ranked in the “top 40”. UA ranks #39, finishing 1st in the state in the academic reputation score (3.14), freshmen retention rate, faculty resources rank, class size (highest percent of classes under 20 students and lowest percent of classes over 50 students), and alumni giving rate. UA ranks in the second tier of National Universities (Public and Private). Two SEC schools made the first tier (1-51), Vanderbilt University and The University of Florida. Seven SEC schools made the second tier (52-129), The University of Alabama, The University of Georgia, The University of South Carolina, The University of Tennessee, The University of Arkansas, Auburn University, and The University of Kentucky. The undergraduate business school at UA continues to be ranked in the top tier of business schools, ranking #57 in America (#37 among Public Universities). Also, the undergraduate engineering school is ranked #92 in this year’s edition (#56 among Public Universities).

-For the fifth straight year, the 2005 edition of The Princeton Review’s “Best 357 Colleges in America” has ranked The University of Alabama as the top academic university in the state with the highest score in its academics rating.

-Once again, and every year since its inception, the “2005 Fiske’s Guide to Colleges”, 21st edition, has rated The University of Alabama as the top university in the state in their academics rating.

-The University of Alabama ranked 66th in the nation in degrees awarded to African-Americans, according to a new report by Black Issues in Higher Education magazine. The University of Alabama ranked 66th among universities nationwide and 41stin the second tier of National Universities (Public and Private). Two SEC schools made the first tier (1-51), Vanderbilt University and The University of Florida. Seven SEC schools made the second tier (52-129), The University of Alabama, The University of Georgia, The University of South Carolina, The University of Tennessee, The University of Arkansas, Auburn University, and The University of Kentucky. The undergraduate business school at UA continues to be ranked in the top tier of business schools, ranking #57 in America (#37 among Public Universities). Also, the undergraduate engineering school is ranked #92 in this year’s edition (#56 among Public Universities).

-For the fifth straight year, the 2005 edition of The Princeton Review’s “Best 357 Colleges in America” has ranked The University of Alabama as the top academic university in the state with the highest score in its academics rating.

-Once again, and every year since its inception, the “2005 Fiske’s Guide to Colleges”, 21st edition, has rated The University of Alabama as the top university in the state in their academics rating.

-The University of Alabama ranked 66th in the nation in degrees awarded to African-Americans, according to a new report by Black Issues in Higher Education magazine. The University of Alabama ranked 66th among universities nationwide and 41st among traditionally white institutions in the number of baccalaureate degrees awarded to African-Americans for the 2002-2003 academic year. UA awarded 380 undergraduate degrees to African-Americans – the largest number awarded by any institution in the state. In addition, UA ranked 44th nationally in total number of baccalaureate degrees in engineering awarded to African-Americans, and 33rd among traditionally white institutions.

-Dr. Charles Lydeard, associate professor of Biological Sciences at The University of Alabama, has been appointed program director in the Division of Environmental Biology at the National Science Foundation (NSF) in Arlington, Virginia. Lydeard plans to serve in the NSF position for two years and return to UA.

-Dr. Anne McDonald Culp, professor of Human Development and Family Studies, was recently elected the Division 37 President-elect for the American Psychological Association (APA). Culp, who will head the APA’s Division of Child, Youth, and Family Services, will be President in 2006 and past-President in 2007.

-The Alabama Society of Professional Engineers has selected Thomas Saunders, a senior majoring in Mechanical Engineering, as the “Student Engineer of the Year”. Saunders was nominated for the award based on his performance in the areas of scholarship, communication, employment history, research, and leadership activi among traditionally white institutions in the number of baccalaureate degrees awarded to African-Americans for the 2002-2003 academic year. UA awarded 380 undergraduate degrees to African-Americans – the largest number awarded by any institution in the state. In addition, UA ranked 44th nationally in total number of baccalaureate degrees in engineering awarded to African-Americans, and 33rd among traditionally white institutions.

-Dr. Charles Lydeard, associate professor of Biological Sciences at The University of Alabama, has been appointed program director in the Division of Environmental Biology at the National Science Foundation (NSF) in Arlington, Virginia. Lydeard plans to serve in the NSF position for two years and return to UA.

-Dr. Anne McDonald Culp, professor of Human Development and Family Studies, was recently elected the Division 37 President-elect for the American Psychological Association (APA). Culp, who will head the APA’s Division of Child, Youth, and Family Services, will be President in 2006 and past-President in 2007.

-The Alabama Society of Professional Engineers has selected Thomas Saunders, a senior majoring in Mechanical Engineering, as the “Student Engineer of the Year”. Saunders was nominated for the award based on his performance in the areas of scholarship, communication, employment history, research, and leadership activity.

-Dr Paul S. Ray, associate professor of Industrial Engineering at The University of Alabama, received the National “Educator of the Year” award from the System Safety Society at its 22nd annual conference in Providence, Rhode Island.

The University of Alabama has ALWAYS been an academic leader in the state of Alabama. The University of Alabama has ALWAYS pursued EXCELLENCE. The road is endless but the ride is GREAT. More GOOD NEWS to come!!! And, as always, ROLL TIDE FOREVER!!!!

 

[pcolatide]

Academic Update

Thanks for the update. I for one, think that Alabama can be as strong academically as they are in football. I look forward to the day we are mentioned with the top tier of State Universities of this country.