| Berea
has been named the top liberal arts college in the South in U.S.
News and World Report magazine's 14th annual ranking of the
United States' best colleges. This is the seventh time Berea has
received a No. 1 ranking, the sixth being last year.
Other regional firsts were Susquehanna (Pa.) University in the
North, St. Mary's (Ind.) College in the Midwest and Albertson (Idaho)
College in the West.
The survey results were announced Sept. 1 and will appear in the year 2001
edition of the  magazine's guide "America's Best Colleges," available
on newsstands Sept. 4. The rankings also are available on the U.S. News Web
site (www.usnews.com).
"Berea College always works to better achieve its mission," said
Berea College President Dr. Larry D. Shinn. "The measurable
improvements in our programs and facilities are a direct result
of the successful planning and dedicated work of our trustees,
faculty, staff and students, as well as support from our friends.
We are honored that our peers have judged our work to have been
successful and we are grateful to be part of such a dynamic collegiate
community."
In determining a school's overall rank, U.S. News said consideration
was given to academic reputation, retention, faculty resources,
student selectivity, financial resources and alumni giving rate.
U.S. News placed the 1,400 four-year colleges surveyed into one
of four categories derived from those established by the Carnegie
Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching: national universities,
national liberal arts colleges, regional universities and regional
liberal arts colleges.
Berea now has been ranked in 13 of the 14 "Best College" surveys
conducted by U.S. News and World Report magazine. For five consecutive
years (1989-93), Berea was third among colleges and universities
in the South. In 1987 and '88, the College was No. 1 in the category
of small comprehensive colleges, and in 1985, was first among small
colleges in the South and Border States.
In 1995, U.S. News ranked Berea fifth on the best regional universities
in the South list and first in regional universities showing "an
unusually strong commitment to undergraduate teaching:" --
the first year the magazine recognized that category.
Rankings in 1994 listed Berea 82nd among the best liberal arts
colleges in the nation, the only year the college was placed in
that category.
No survey was conducted in 1986.
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