Elon is among 16 colleges and universities singled out by Time magazine in its annual Colleges of the Year publication. The schools were recognized for their highly effective programs to help first-year students make a successful transition into college life.
The magazine consulted with several of the nation’s top educators in making the selection. “In selecting our 2001 Colleges of the Year from among candidates recommended by our advisory board, the editors sought institutions with comprehensive freshman programs that have improved retention rates and created a sense of community for students. Amid a rapidly growing movement, the hardest part was choosing among so many impressive candidates. We believe they offer good news for other colleges looking for ways to turn raw freshmen into studious sophomores — and ultimately into productive alumni.”
Here is Time’s list of top institutions:
Liberal Arts Colleges
WILLIAM JEWEL COLLEGE, Liberty, Mo.
Other notables:
DRURY UNIVERSITY, Springfield, Mo.
Orientation begins with a summer reading assignment to prepare for the August seminar
ELON UNIVERSITY, Elon, N.C.
Students can rough it together during summer leadership programs in the nearby mountains
WAGNER COLLEGE, New York City
Freshmen work at social agencies, charities or museums
Master Colleges
APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY, Boone, N.C.
Other notables:
KEAN UNIVERSITY, Union, N.J.
This commuter college requires a course on time management, study skills and human relations
KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY, Kennesaw, Ga.
Small learning communities help freshmen bond
XAVIER UNIVERSITY, New Orleans
A mostly black school gets parents involved and provides frequent advising
Research Universities
INDIANA UNIVERSITY, Bloomington, Ind.
Other notables:
HARVARD UNIVERSITY, Cambridge, Mass.
A freshman seminar founded in 1959 has been expanded to 60 courses this year
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, Ann Arbor
Professors get 600 freshmen to help with research like identifying the breast-cancer gene
STANFORD UNIVERSITY, Palo Alto, Calif.
A seminar helps freshmen bond with professors
Community Colleges
SEATTLE CENTRAL, Seattle, Wash.
Other notables:
COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF DENVER
Four-fifths of students are the first in their family to go to college. A summer program teaches them study skills
MESA COMMUNITY COLLEGE, Mesa, Ariz.
Returning students greet and advise newcomers
VALENCIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE, Orlando, Fla.
Tough starter classes get underperformers up to speed
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