BGSU lauded again in U.S. News and World Report

BOWLING GREEN, O.—For the sixth straight year, Bowling Green State University has been recognized for its focus on the undergraduate experience in U.S. News and World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges.”

The University was named one of the top 100 public universities in the country and was recognized for excellence in first-year experience programs in the magazine’s 2012 edition.

BGSU was first included for first-year experience programs in the 2006 edition of the report, which points out that “orientation can only go so far in making freshmen feel connected.”

In spring 2011, U.S. News and World Report invited college presidents, chief academic officers, deans of students and deans of admissions from more than 1,500 schools to nominate up to 10 institutions with stellar examples of first-year experiences. Colleges and universities that were mentioned most often were included.

The ranking is part of the “Academic Programs to Look For” category, which lists “schools with outstanding examples” of these programs. Says the report, “Many schools, such as those below, now build into the curriculum first-year seminars or other programs that bring small groups of students together with faculty or staff on a regular basis.”

“I’m pleased that BGSU has once again been recognized for its efforts to provide an outstanding first-year experience,” said President Mary Ellen Mazey. “First- year programs support a learning environment that extends throughout the year and are directly related to enhancing the student's experience in and outside of the classroom.”

Others recognized for first-year experience programs include Ohio State University, Notre Dame University and Stanford University.

BGSU continues to develop a new undergraduate curriculum, which will carry the themes of critical thinking, exploration of values, problem solving and diversity through all four years of the undergraduate program. Essential to this program is connecting classroom learning to co-curricular activities in a meaningful way.

###

(Posted September 14, 2011 )