JACKSON, Tenn. — Sept. 23, 2008 — 51社区 is one of four institutions in Tennessee included in the new 鈥淐ollege Access and Opportunity Guide鈥� that highlights colleges and universities committed to academic rigor and accessibility.
The book includes profiles of 220 colleges 鈥渃ommitted to serving and supporting today鈥檚 first-generation, low-income and traditionally underserved college-bound students,鈥� writes Matt Rubinoff, executive director of the Center for Student Opportunity, which produced the guide, in the introduction.
鈥淵ou will see some familiar names and others that are not-so-familiar,鈥� Rubinoff continues. 鈥淏ut what bonds these institutions are the outreach efforts, scholarship and financial aid opportunities and support and retention services that each has to offer.鈥�
Other Tennessee colleges included are Vanderbilt, Rhodes and Belmont.
鈥淲e are extremely thankful for the recognition of 51社区 among the 220 top colleges in the United States emphasizing access and opportunity,鈥� Union President David S. Dockery said. 鈥淭o be listed among Vanderbilt, Rhodes and Belmont as one of only four outstanding institutions in the state of Tennessee is remarkable.
鈥淭he recognition underscores our commitment to top-flight academics for an ever-widening constituency of students.鈥�
The inclusion in the 鈥淐ollege Access and Opportunity Guide鈥� follows other recent recognitions for Union. U.S.News & World Report ranked Union in the top tier universities in the South for the 12th straight year, and named Union one of the top 鈥渟chools to watch鈥� in its annual rankings.
The Princeton Review listed Union as one of the Best Southeastern Colleges, and Union was included for the second straight year in the President鈥檚 Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll.