Lawrence Today magazine, Spring 2004
An increasingly global student body, an
exceptional program for first-year students, and an overall academic experience
of high
quality
have
again earned
Lawrence University recognition in U.S. News & World Report’s popular
annual college rankings.
In the magazine’s 17th annual “America’s Best Colleges” report,
Lawrence was ranked 52nd in the “Best Liberal Arts Colleges–Bachelor’s” category,
which includes 217 of the nation’s leading national liberal arts colleges.
This is the fifth consecutive year Lawrence has been ranked in the top quarter
of the National Liberal Arts category.
In addition, Lawrence was cited in two other categories. Freshman
Studies earned
the college inclusion in U.S. News’ listing of “first-year
experiences,” which
was one of eight special categories the magazine calls “outstanding examples
of academic programs that lead to student success.” Since the categories
are not distinguished by institutional size or type, Lawrence’s Freshman
Studies program was cited along with first-year programs at Harvard, Yale,
and Stanford Universities, among others.
Lawrence’s global reach earned it fifth place, up from 15th a year ago,
among all liberal arts colleges in percentage of international
students enrolled,
with 12 percent of last year’s student body being students from abroad.
"The annual publication of the U.S. News rankings has become
something of a national event,” says
President Richard Warch, “and if they are to be, then I am pleased that
Lawrence has again fared well. Of special note is the recognition of our distinctive
Freshman Studies program — which was also recognized by the National
Endowment
for the Humanities as an exemplary curricular offering — and of our
serious and sustained commitment to serving an international student population.
The
students from 45 countries who are attending Lawrence this year contribute
meaningfully to the teaching and learning community, and we take great pride
in having them here.”
See also: What the rankings and guide books say about Lawrence