News Archive
Westminster College Ranked Fourth in Graduation Rate Performance by U.S. News
Westminster College is among the nation's best in enhancing the educational achievement of its students, according to a national study released today.
U.S. News & World Report's 2006 Guide to America's Best Colleges cited Westminster as one of the nation's best in enhancing the educational achievement of its students. Westminster ranked tied for fourth among Liberal Arts Colleges and in the top ten of all colleges in graduation rate performance. Westminster College's 76% graduation rate was 17% higher than predicted.
Fisk University in Tennessee (+25%), Barber Scotia College in North Carolina (+23%), and St. Anselm College in New Hampshire (+18%) were the only Liberal Arts Colleges with higher graduation rate performances. Richard Stockton College in New Jersey and Siena College in New York also exceeded expected graduation rates by 17 percent. South Carolina State University (+28%), The University of California-Irvine (+22%), Widener College in Pennsylvania (+22%), and St. John's University in New York (+20%) were the only National Universities with higher graduation rate performances.
The indicator, developed by U.S. News and previously called 'value added,' is designed to capture the effect of the college's programs and policies on the graduation rate of its students after controlling for spending and student aptitude. U.S. News arrives at the score by measuring the difference between a school's six-year graduation rate for the class that entered in 1998, and the predicted graduation rate for the class. The predicted graduation rate is calculated using a formula that accounts for the standardized test scores of these students and the school's expenditures on them over the years. If the actual graduation rate is higher than the predicted rate, the college is enhancing the students' achievement.
'We are pleased to be recognized by the national media for serving our students -- Westminster's number one objective. Westminster is a student-centered college, and this ranking reflects that commitment,' said Westminster College President R. Thomas Williamson.
The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching reclassified higher education institutions late in 2000 resulting in a new classification system for U.S. News & World Report. This year 217 colleges were included in the category, and these institutions must award at least 50 percent of their degrees in liberal arts disciplines and emphasize undergraduate education.
'Stretch' Jazz Trio to Perform at Westminster April 20
'Stretch' Jazz Trio will perform at Westminster College Thursday, April 20, at 7:30 p.m. in the Berlin Lounge located in the McKelvey Campus Center.
The trio includes: Jim Flowers, an adjunct music instructor at Westminster, on reeds; James (JP) Scanga, a freshman music education major, on bass; and Steve Marks, a private music teacher from Hermitage, on the drums.
The program will include a variety of jazz compositions by Joe Henderson, John Coltrane, Thelonius Monk, Antonio Carlos Jobim, and others. The group will also premier several small works written specifically for this performance by Scanga.
"The mission of 'Stretch' is to push the development of our modern conception of jazz as far as possible," Scanga said. "Breaking a rudimentary tradition of combo playing without a chordal instrument such as a piano or guitar, 'Stretch' is thus a vehicle with musical room to breathe. Improvisation and spontaneity are two cornerstones of this trio."
Scanga is a son of James and Kimberly Scanga, Sharpsville, and a graduate of Kennedy Catholic High School.
This event is free and open to the public. Contact the Westminster College Department of Music at (724) 946-7270 for more information.
Westminster Accounting Professor Joins Strategic Advisory Board
Paul Wozniak, professor of accounting at Westminster College, has been appointed a member of the Strategic Advisory Board of the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA).
Westminster College to Upgrade Internet Connection; Quadruples Speed for Students
Westminster College, already honored by a national publication as "one of the nation's most wired colleges," has announced plans to upgrade its Internet connection to quadruple the access speed for students, faculty, and staff.
Westminster College Establishes New Honor Society
Westminster College recently established the Pi Alpha Chi chapter of the Chi Sigma Iota Academic and Professional Honor Society International.
Westminster to Host Children's Author J. Patrick Lewis Nov. 1
Westminster College will host children's author and poet J. Patrick Lewis Wednesday, Nov. 1, at 7 p.m. in the Witherspoon Rooms of the McKelvey Campus Center.
English Professors to Speak at Faculty Forum
Dr. Deborah Mitchell, Westminster College associate professor of English, and Dr. Betsy Ford, Westminster College English professor emerita, will speak at the Faculty Forum, Wednesday, May 2, at 11:40 a.m. in the Sebastian Mueller Theater of the McKelvey Campus Center.
Celebrity Series to Host Valentine's Dinner Theatre
Westminster College's Celebrity Series will host "Romantic Feelings," a Valentine's dinner theatre program, Saturday, Feb. 16, in the Witherspoon Rooms of the McKelvey Campus Center.
Drinko Center Announces 21 Scholars in Service to Pennsylvania
Westminster College's Drinko Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning announced 21 Westminster students who are Scholars in Service to Pennsylvania.
Business Administration Major Wins Edward Entrepreneurship Scholarship
Zachary Gantz, a Westminster College sophomore business administration major, won the 2009 David W. Edward Entrepreneurship Scholarship competition. The award includes a $2,500 academic scholarship.
Displaying 6121-6130 of 6627 total records