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ACADEMIC UPDATE!!!! Part 26 (The Timeless Pursuit!!!) 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 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 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!!!!
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