 NAC&U and Hamline University Mentioned in The Chronicle of Higher Education's Cover Story
 The Chronicle of Higher Education's cover story "Saving the Life of the Mind" by reporter Goldie Blumenstyk examines "the new liberal arts" that combine a liberal education with real-world skills, citing NAC&U as being "in the forefront of the movement for this new approach." Blumenstyk quotes from her conversation with Linda Hanson, President of Hamline University and Chair of the NAC&U Board of Directors. (Subscription required.) Read more.
13 New American Colleges and Universities Named to President's Higher Ed Community Service Honor Roll
 Honorees of the 2009 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, the highest federal recognition a college or university can receive for its commitment to volunteering, service-learning and civic engagement, were announced this week. Elon University, University of Redlands, The University of Scranton, and Westminster College were named to the Honor Roll with Distinction while nine members — Arcadia University, Belmont University, Butler University, Hamline University, Ithaca College, North Central College, University of Evansville, Valparaiso University, and Wagner College — made the Honor Roll. Read more about this award. Read more about the honored institutions: Arcadia University | Belmont University | Elon University | North Central College | University of Evansville | Wagner College | Westminster College
 Drake, Hamline, and Ithaca Represented at United Nations Climate Change Conference
Students and Professors from Drake University, Hamline University, and Ithaca College are in attendance at COP 15, the United Nations Climate Change Conference being held in Copenhagen, Denmark from December 7 to December 18th this month. Read their stories here: Drake | Ithaca | Hamline
Drury University, Ithaca College Recognized For Making Strides in Sustainability
 Drury University was one of four Missouri universities, and Ithaca College one of ten New York universities, featured in the National Wildlife Federation’s recent study, Generation E: Students Leading for a Sustainable, Clean Energy Future. The National Wildlife Federation scouted more than 160 colleges and universities across the country covering 35 categories of creative student effort. The report highlights the unique and critical role college students are playing in reforming sustainability programs. Drury was recognized for its part in developing the Ozarks Center for Sustainable Solutions (OCSS), and Ithaca for offering sustainability-minded campus jobs and internships.
For more information: Drury | Full Report
Seven New American Colleges and Universities Cited in Open Doors Study Abroad Report
 Information for the Institute of International Education's (IIE) annual Open Doors report was released on November 16, 2009, ranking the top Study Abroad programs in the nation. Seven New American Colleges and Universities were ranked on one or more lists citing study abroad statistics at master's degree-granting institutions. With 760 students studying abroad for short-term study, Elon University led the list of master's level institutions. Hamline University and Arcadia University followed at #6 and #8, respectively. For the second year in a row, Arcadia University had the highest number of total undergraduate students studying abroad, among master's level institutions. Elon placed at #2, Hamline at #5, University of Evansville at #9, Pacific Lutheran University at #10, University of Redlands at #14, and Ithaca College at #33. Elon ranked #1 on the list of master’s level institutions ranked by the total number of both graduate and undergraduate students studying abroad. Arcadia (#7), Hamline (#16), Ithaca (#24), and Pacific Lutheran (#27) were also on that list. For more information: Arcadia | Evansville | Hamline
Three New American Colleges and Universities Part-time MBA Programs Ranked by BusinessWeek
 Belmont University, Butler University, and Elon University were featured on BusinessWeek’s 2009 part-time MBA ranking list, that includes 69 schools accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Elon’s program ranked 1st in the South Region, and 6th nationwide, while Belmont’s took 3rd in the South, 18th nationwide, and Butler’s claimed 8th in the Midwest Region, and 36th nationally. The rankings were formulated on three measures: a survey sent to a sample of students, academic quality based on six criteria, and the percentage of survey respondents who say their program was ‘completely’ responsible for them achieving their goals. For more information: Butler | Elon | BusinessWeek
Three New American Colleges & Universities’ Student Newspapers named as Finalists for Prestigious, National Pacemaker Award
Elon University’s weekly student newspaper, Pendulum, won a 2009 Pacemaker Award given by the Associated Collegiate Press award Oct. 31 at the organization’s joint conference with College Media Advisers in Austin, Texas. Hamline University’s The Oracle, and Ithaca College’s The Ithacan were both named as finalists for the award as well. Pacemakers have been awarded since 1971 based on a variety of topics such as coverage and content, quality of writing and reporting, leadership on the opinion page, and photography. The Pacemaker is the highest honor ACP gives to its members. For more information: Elon | Hamline | Ithaca
NAC&U Institutions Among Top Producers of Fulbrights
 Six New American Colleges and Universities made the list of top producers of Fulbright scholars, according to a report in the October 19, 2009 edition of The Chronicle of Higher Education. Drake University, Hamline University, Ithaca College, University of Redlands, The University of Scranton, and Valparaiso University are among only 130 institutions nationwide to be ranked based on the number of their students who earned Fulbright fellowships for the 2009/2010 academic year. The colleges are listed in four categories based on their institution type and size. All NAC&U institutions were on the master’s-level institution list. Story from The Chronicle of Higher Education. For more information: Hamline | Scranton | Valparaiso
UE Civil Engineers Awarded Best Small-School Program in Nation
 Representatives from the University of Evansville’s Civil Engineering program are headed to Kansas to pick up the award for the Best Small-School Civil Engineering Program in America, having earned the American Society of Civil Engineers’ prestigious Walter LeFevre Award for 2009. Read more.
Three New American Colleges & Universities Make National Honor Roll for Civic Partnerships
Drake University, Pacific Lutheran University, and The University of Scranton are among 140 institutions in the nation recognized in a "Survey of Best College and University Civic Partnerships." The list was announced at the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities conference earlier this week. According to the report, called the "Saviors of Our Cities: 2009 Survey of College and University Civic Partnerships," the colleges listed "illustrate the broad range of engagement initiatives" that have demonstrated "a positive economic, social and cultural impact" on the cities in which they reside. Read the report. Read more on Scranton's site.
 Another Strong Showing for NAC&U Business Schools
Eight NAC&U members were listed on The Princeton Review’s 2010 edition of the “Best 301 Business Schools” across the country (on sale October 6). Appearing in the non-hierarchical listing were Belmont University, Butler University, Elon University, Ithaca College, Pacific Lutheran University, Quinnipiac University, The University of Scranton, and Valparaiso University. In addition, Elon’s Martha and Spencer Love School of Business was cited among the “Best Administered” programs.
For more information: Belmont | Elon | Ithaca | Quinnipiac
New American Colleges & Universities’ Elon and Butler Elected to Phi Beta Kappa Society
 The Phi Beta Kappa Society, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious academic society, has voted to establish two new chapters at Elon University and Butler University, both members of The New American Colleges & Universities. The decision was made October 2 at the Society’s 42nd Triennial Council in Austin, Texas, where the two institutions comprised half of the chapters awarded this year, bringing the total number of chapters to 280 nationwide. John Churchill, secretary and chief executive officer of the Society, said, “Phi Beta Kappa exists to honor students and to advocate for the liberal arts and sciences both on campus and in the broader world. With the establishment of these chapters, we acknowledge the accomplishments of these institutions in the field of liberal education, and we look forward to a lively partnership in advancing that cause.”
For more information: Butler | Elon | Phi Beta Kappa Release
Nationwide Standouts - Most New American Colleges Highlighted in 2010 Princeton Review
Ten New American Colleges and Universities were named in the 2010 edition of the Princeton Review’s annual college guide “The Best 371 Colleges” (Random House / Princeton Review, $22.99) released on July 28. They are Elon University, Hampton University, Ithaca College, Quinnipiac University, Samford University, The University of Scranton, University of Redlands, Valparaiso University, Wagner College, and Westminster College. The Princeton Review collected institutional data during 2008-09 and scored institutions in areas such as admissions selectivity, financial aid, and attention to environmental concerns (or how “green” a school is). All ten were also cited as top college choices in their geographic regions, along with NAC&U members: Arcadia University, Belmont University, Butler University, Drake University, Drury University, Hamline University, North Central College, and University of Evansville.
The Princeton Review polled 122,000 students at the 371 colleges to get a sense of student life and satisfaction. Ithaca College’s student radio station earned a #1 ranking, and its college theater was listed as #9. Meanwhile Wagner’s college theater ranked #3, and its campus was cited as #19 on the “Most Beautiful Campus” list. Westminster students touted the school’s Quality of Life (ranked #12), and students at Samford said that town-gown relations are great (ranked #10). Elon University earned a #16 ranking in the “School Runs Like Butter” category. The Princeton Review, along with USA Today, also included Elon on its 2009 Best Value Colleges, indicating it is one of 50 private schools with excellent academics, low sticker price, and/or generous financial aid.
NACUBO Highlights
Nine administrators from six member institutions of the The New American Colleges and Universities collaborated on panel presentations at the Annual NACUBO Meeting in Boston, June 28-30.
The Provost - CFO Partnership: Reflections on Effective Teamwork
- Vicky Payseur and Ron Troyer, Drake University
- Gerry Francis and Gerald Whittington, Elon University
- Roy Austensen and Charley Gillispie, Valparaiso University
The CFO/CAO Partnership panel was highlighted in Inside Higher Education, Monday, June 29
Tuition Revenue Strategies During the Demographic and Economic Downturn
- Hal Wilde, president, North Central College
- Devorah Lieberman, Provost, Wagner College
- Phillip Doolittle, executive vice president and COO, University of Redlands
- Bill Hall, president, Applied Policy Research
Belmont Provost Named as LaGrange President
 Belmont University Provost Dr. Dan McAlexander was named today as the 25th President of LaGrange College, a liberal arts institution located southwest of Atlanta. McAlexander will assume his new position on July 1, 2009 after eight years of service to Belmont University. Read more.
Ithaca College Communications Dean Dianne Lynch Named President Of Stephens College
 Dianne Lynch, who has served since 2004 as dean of the Roy H. Park School of Communications at Ithaca College, has accepted an offer to become the 24th president of Stephens College. Located in Columbia, Missouri, Stephens College was founded in 1833 and is the second-oldest women’s college in the nation. Lynch will take office on June 2. Read more.
Pacific Lutheran University wins 2009 Senator Paul Simon Award for Campus Internationalization – 4th Consecutive Year for New American Colleges & Universities Institutions
 For the fourth consecutive year, a member of The New American Colleges and Universities has been presented with the prestigious Senator Paul Simon Award for Campus Internationalization. Pacific Lutheran University has received the 2009 award, which honors outstanding efforts on and off campus to engage the world and the international community. PLU is the first and only private college in the West to have received this honor. Previous winners from the New American Colleges and Universities were Valparaiso University (2008), Elon University (2007), and Arcadia University (2006). Read more at PLU's site. Read more at the NAFSA site.
Wagner College Makes New Connections with Service Learning Program,
from The Chronicle of Higher Education
Academic departments at Wagner collaborate with community agencies to deepen
students' volunteerism.
Stuffing envelopes instills many qualities: humility, patience, tough fingers, and a pasty tongue. It is not, however, known for expanding the intellect. That's what college is supposed to do.
And there's the rub. It has been a persistent tension since the 1990s, when service learning became de rigueur on college campuses. At its most basic, service learning moves volunteer work from campus clubs into the classroom. How that actually plays out varies widely from place to place. Many colleges scatter students across dozens or even hundreds of community groups. Even within a single service-learning course, students might be working with a half-dozen different agencies.
The movement has gained new energy with the election of President Obama, who has made increasing service a central plank of his higher-education agenda. But across the board, colleges and universities struggle with service learning's twin goals of providing meaningful help to the community and academic rigor to students. Read more.
 Westminster's Bassis Discusses Liberal Arts Education in China People's Daily
Read the story on the China People's Daily Web site.
New American Colleges and Universities Recognized for Engaged Students, Successful Outcomes
 Eleven New American Colleges and Universities, which is half of the organization’s membership, were listed in the 2008-09 “Colleges of Distinction” guidebook. The book recognizes four areas of distinction among those listed: engaged students, great teaching, vibrant communities, and successful outcomes.
All members of The New American Colleges and Universities are committed to these values and are known leaders in student engagement, integrating curricular and co-curricular programs, community service, and in demonstrating their impact on student learning. The “Colleges of Distinction” guidebook recognized the following ANAC members: Arcadia University, Belmont University, Hamline University, Ithaca College, Quinnipiac University, Samford University, Simmons College, Susquehanna University, University of Evansville, Wagner College, and Westminster College. Read more.
Americans Abroad, a story from Pacific Lutheran's Campus Voice
 When Jennifer Henrichsen came to PLU, she had every intention of majoring in biology and psychology, and then moving on to medical school. Ambitious – and admirable – plans. But halfway into her sophomore year, she had something of an epiphany: Med school was more of her mom’s dream than her own.
So she decided to switch directions. Radical directions.
“One of PLU’s strengths is its dedication to helping students succeed in the field of global education,” said Henrichsen. “When the opportunity arose to obtain both political science and communication credit by studying and interning in Norway, I jumped at the chance." Read more.
Scranton Listed Among Nation's Top Producers of Fulbright Scholars
 The University of Scranton was recognized among the nation’s “top producers” of Fulbright fellowships for American students for the 2007/2008 academic year by The Chronicle of Higher Education. The Oct. 24 issue lists just 111 colleges in four categories based on their institution type and size.
The University of Scranton was among the 22 universities in the nation listed as top producers in the “Masters Institutions” category. Scranton, with three Fulbright scholars, and Villanova University, with two, were the only two Pennsylvania universities listed in that category.
“It is notable that only one master’s level institution in the country received more Fulbright awards than Scranton,” said Susan Trussler, Ph.D., The University of Scranton’s Fulbright advisor and associate professor of economics/finance. “In addition to the students awarded Fulbright scholarships, two other students were named as alternates.” Read more.
Belmont President Bob Fisher Named Tennessean
of the Year
 Belmont University President Dr. Bob Fisher today was named as the 2008 Tennessean of the Year by Nashville’s daily newspaper The Tennessean. The newspaper pointed to the 2008 Town Hall Presidential Debate and how the event brought a national spotlight to Nashville as part of the reasoning behind Fisher’s nomination. In addition, the article noted how Fisher has raised Belmont's profile since his arrival in 2000, increasing enrollment from 3,000 to 5,000 students, launching new programs in health sciences and pharmacy, and working with recording-industry mogul Mike Curb to build the state-of-the-art Curb Event Center, site of the debate.
"While my name may be on the award, this is really an honor for everyone who cares about Belmont,” Fisher said. “The success of Belmont University is driven by the extraordinary spirit and hard work of our faculty and staff and by students who see themselves as partners in our efforts to build a great university."
Other nominees this year included the Fisk Jubilee Singers, who were awarded a National Medal of Arts this year; Dr. James Hildreth, a Meharry faculty member who announced a potential breakthrough in the battle against AIDS; Jennifer A. Pietenpol, the director of the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center who was recently appointed to a six-year term on the National Cancer Advisory Board; and Pat Summit, head coach of the University of Tennessee women's basketball team who led the Lady Vols to a second consecutive national championship in the 2007-08 season. Read more.
|
