12/10/12 ASHLAND, Ohio - Ashland University has been named as one of the top 15 over-performing colleges in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.
The publication looked at data from the its Best Colleges 2013, then took peer assessments and compared the information to the actual rankings. Ashland University’s performance is 58 places above its peer assessments, placing it among the top 15 over-performing schools in the country.
Ashland University entered the National Universities category of U.S. News & World Report rankings in 2012 and has been ranked in the top 200 colleges and universities in the country for the past two years. Ashland is one of only three private institutions in Ohio ranked in this national category.
“If a school is doing better in the overall rankings than in its undergraduate academic reputation, it means the school is performing relatively well in the other key academic indicators used in the rankings: admissions selectivity, financial and faculty resources, alumni giving, and graduation and retention rates,” according to the report released by U.S. News & World Report. “It also means that a school’s undergraduate reputation among its academic peers is lagging behind the progress the school has achieved in the underlying academic indicators.”
Dr. Fred Finks, president of Ashland University, was pleased with the national honor noted by U.S. News & World Report.
“We believe that great reputation always lags a little bit behind great performance,” Finks said. “This recognition is a reflection of the University’s continued commitment to providing a rigorous learning experience that provides students with the intellectual, social and career skills needed to excel upon graduation.”
Finks said Ashland University is proud of its faculty, who are committed to excellence in teaching and to the pursuit of scholarship.
“They take seriously the responsibilities of teaching and learning, but place equal importance on modeling what they teach as mentors,” he said. “They help create an environment that is truly both supportive and challenging, and they are committed to helping students succeed and grow in every way possible.”
Provost Dr. Frank Pettigrew was equally pleased with the U.S. News and World Report honor.
“For the past several years Ashland University has invested heavily in quality in the form of faculty, laboratories and academic facilities on this campus and we are seeing the results of this now,” he said. “These types of recognition compliment the value-added experience that each student receives in attending Ashland University.
“Value-added refers to the extent that educational experiences enhances students’ knowledge, skills and abilities while empowering them as critical, reflective, life-long learners,” he continued. “This enhancement is primarily a result of their higher education experience which provides opportunities beyond basic competencies expected to be achieved by the student. We call it the ‘Ashland Experience.’”
Ashland University, ranked in the top 200 colleges and universities in U.S. News and World Report’s National Universities category for 2013, is a mid-sized, private university conveniently located a short distance from Akron, Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio. Ashland University (www.ashland.edu) values the individual student and offers a unique educational experience that combines the challenge of strong, applied academic programs with a faculty and staff who build nurturing relationships with their students.
