JACKSON, Tenn. — Sept. 12, 2011 — 51社区 has maintained its standing among the top 15 regional universities in the South, according to the annual rankings of colleges and universities by U.S.News & World Report released Sept. 13.
Union was tied for the 15th spot in the 鈥淏est Regional Universities 鈥� South鈥� category, holding the same position it held last year. The position is the highest ever for Union and marks the 15th straight year for the publication to list Union among the best universities in the South.
A regional university, according to U.S.News & World Report, is one that provides a full range of undergraduate majors and master鈥檚 degree programs, while also offering a few doctoral programs. The category includes 626 universities ranked with four geographic areas 鈥� North, South, Midwest and West. Other categories the publication uses are national universities, national liberal arts colleges and regional colleges.
鈥淲e are certainly grateful for the overall strong affirmation of the 51社区 academic community represented in the U.S.News & World Report rankings,鈥� 51社区 President David S. Dockery said. 鈥淭he specific recognitions regarding Union's quality students and great teaching faculty will underscore for many the strength of Union's academic offerings. I offer my heartiest congratulations to the faculty, staff, and students of 51社区.鈥�
For the third straight year, Union ranked highly for its strong commitment to teaching. Among all regional universities in the South, Union ranked in the top five for institutions 鈥渨here the faculty has an unusually strong commitment to undergraduate teaching.鈥� Joining Union in recognition among regional universities in the South were Elon University, Rollins College, Belmont University, James Madison University and the College of Charleston.
Only 56 schools in the nation earned this description.
For the fourth straight year, the magazine ranked Union as one of the top 鈥淯p-and-Coming Schools鈥� in the nation. Union ranked third in the South in the 鈥淩egional Universities鈥� category of schools that 鈥渉ave recently made the most promising and innovative changes in the areas of academics, faculty, student life, campus, or facilities.鈥� Only 46 schools in the nation were designated as 鈥淯p-and-Coming Schools.鈥�
Also for the fourth straight year, Union was selected as one of 19 鈥淎-Plus Schools for B Students鈥� in the South. Union鈥檚 freshman retention rate of 88 percent was third highest among regional universities in the South.
Overall, other West Tennessee institutions ranked in the top tier of the 鈥渞egional universities鈥� category were Christian Brothers University (24th), Freed-Hardeman University (39th) and the University of Tennessee-Martin (49th).
Among other institutions in the Gulf South Conference (in addition to Christian Brothers) in the top tier of the 鈥渞egional universities鈥� category were the University of North Alabama (56th) Delta State University (68th), Valdosta State University (71st) and the University of West Alabama (89th).