Campus Report

New survey has mixed numbers for Berry

The National Survey of Student Engagement's annual survey is public for the first time and parts of it have been digested by both USA TODAY and the Web site, InsideHigherEd.com. Berry College is the only local name to appear in the report and the summary has mixed results. College President Stephen R. Briggs is quoted several times throughout the article

Below please find a summary of what it had to say about Berry and Briggs' comments: "Berry College, in Georgia, scored below its peer private, baccalaureate arts and sciences colleges on 7 of the 10 benchmark scores included in USA Today’s report, though its students reported above average scores on having a supportive campus environment and seniors reported above average scores on student-faculty interaction.

"Berry’s president, Stephen R. Briggs, said that the college scored extraordinarily high on some NSSE questions that don’t show up in the summary data presented by USA Today – virtually all Berry students work on the campus as part of the curriculum, in ways that help them prepare for professional life after college, for instance.

"But Briggs said Berry decided to participate because he believed the NSSE/USA Today collaboration was one potentially useful alternative to the U.S. News & World Report rankings that Briggs and many other liberal arts college presidents have been campaigning against. 'There’s been a lot of criticism, but we really haven’t offered an alternative,' Briggs said. 'Here we had a reasonable alternative, and sure, we wish we had looked a little better. But this helps us understand what’s going on [on our campus] and helps our students and our prospective students understand what’s really going on.'

" 'If we as an institution say that we should be willing to make ourselves accountable to the public, we need to do that seriously.' ”

From USA TODAY's report. For more, click USAT

For more on the survey, please click NSSE

Shorter's new student apartment building named for Newman

(Shorter release) The Shorter College Board of Trustees voted on Friday, Oct. 26, to name the college’s new student apartment building “Newman Hall” in honor of the college’s president, Dr. Harold E. Newman.

“The trustees were pleased to unanimously approve naming the new dormitory “Newman Hall” as a tribute to Dr. Harold Newman for the stellar job he is doing as president of Shorter College,” Trustee Chairman Dr. Nelson Price said. “He is obviously God’s man for this hour in the life of Shorter College. His academic prowess, business acumen and spirit are an asset to the academic and spiritual life of this school.”

Shorter began construction on the three-story, apartment-style building in March and held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Aug. 20. The building, which provides living space for 46 students, is located behind the Sheffield-Thompson Building and west of Roberts Hall. The estimated cost of constructing and furnishing the building was $2.644 million, approximately $1.4 million of which was provided by the Georgia Baptist Convention.

Dr. Newman has served as the college’s president since January 2006. Previously he served as Shorter’s provost for 20 years and as interim president from January 2005 to 2006.

In other action, Shorter’s Board of Trustees elected six representatives who will serve on the board’s Executive Committee during 2008. The board unanimously elected:

>Dr. Nelson Price of Kennesaw as chairman.

>Dr. Kevin Snodgrass of Rome as vice chairman.

>Mrs. Dayle Fowler of Suwanee as secretary

>and Mr. Roger Willis of Lawrenceville, Mr. Nolan Robinson of Cartersville, and Mr. Bob English of Dallas as at-large members.

>As chairman of the Finance and Investment Committee, Mr. David McGinnis of Marietta also serves on the Executive Committee.

GHC, Summerville High Alumni Association team up for scholarships

(Highlands release) Georgia Highlands College and the Summerville High School Alumni Association will offer a new scholarship to Chattooga High School graduates beginning fall 2008.        

The Summerville High School Alumni Association voted to contribute $15,000 to establish a scholarship at GHC for graduating Chattooga students. The association anticipates establishing an endowment of $40,000 by spring 2008.  

Any Chattooga High School senior who plans to attend GHC may apply for the scholarship. Preference will be given to students who have a GPA between 2.75 and 2.9 and who have demonstrated financial need but are not eligible for federal PELL grants. The scholarship will cover tuition, fees and books for two years at GHC, a total value of $4,000. If the student becomes eligible for the HOPE scholarship while enrolled at GHC, he or she will continue to receive the Summerville award.

According to GHC President J. Randy Pierce, Bridge to HOPE scholarships designed to assist students who have the potential to gain HOPE eligibility are more important now than ever before.

“The criteria for determining HOPE eligibility changed beginning this fall semester,” Pierce said.  “The entire University System has seen a significant decrease in the percentage of incoming, eligible students. At GHC, the percentage of incoming freshmen who are HOPE-eligible has plummeted from 57 percent in fall 2004 to approximately 20 percent this semester.”

Berry Brass Ensemble starts 'tour' Nov. 4

(Berry release) The Berry College Brass Ensemble will travel to three different local churches during the month of November as part of its annual fall tour.

This year’s tour kicks off Sunday, Nov. 4, with a 6 p.m. performance at the First Baptist Church in Summerville. Next up is a 7 p.m. performance Sunday, Nov. 11, at the First Baptist Church in Calhoun. The tour concludes the following Sunday, Nov. 18, with a 6 p.m. show at New Armuchee Baptist Church in Armuchee.

Admission is free and open to the public. Call 706-236-2289 for more information.

The Berry Brass Ensemble is directed by Dr. Stan Pethel, chair of Berry’s fine arts department. Formed by Dr. Pethel in 1978, the ensemble consists of student musicians at Berry College and features five horns, four trumpets, three trombones, two tubas and one euphonium.

This year’s program will offer sacred brass music including a chorale transcription by J.S. Bach, “Fanfare and Ballad” by Carroll M. Butts and “Psalm XIX” by Marcello (arranged by Bill Keith Snell). The program also will feature arrangements by Dr. Pethel including “The Solid Rock,” “All Creatures of Our God and King,” “Savior Like a Shepherd” and the hymn medley “Glory Bound.”

Shorter now offering master of education degree: (Shorter release) Having received approval from the Professional Standards Commission and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Shorter College now offers a Master of Education with a major in curriculum and instruction through the Professional Studies (adult-degree) program.

This follows a successful launch of both Associate’s- and Bachelor’s-level programs in education during the 2006-07 academic year. The new Master of Education program will be offered by Shorter’s School of Education beginning this fall at the three metro-Atlanta campuses and in Rome.

Education majors presently account for more than 100 of the 1,800 working adults pursuing degrees in Shorter’s Professional Studies programs, and that growth is expected to continue.

“Our expansion looks good because of our qualified instructors,” said Dr. Bill Brown, dean of the School of Education and Social Sciences. “Many of them have previous experience developing curriculum and expanding programs, which has been evident in their contributions. The education faculty has done an outstanding job. Our process now includes a full set of steps for students to start from square one and move all the way to earning a master’s degree.”

Winshape Retreat honored by national preservation group

Photos courtesy of Berry College

(National Trust release) Winshape Retreat at Berry College is receiving a prestigious National Preservation Honor Award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The project is one of 21 national award winners the National Trust for Historic Preservation is honoring during its week-long 2007 National Preservation Conference held in the Twin Cities of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. 

For decades, the Normandy Dairy Farm was a busy part of Berry College, located near Rome, Georgia. Originally established to provide education and training for the youth of rural north Georgia, the dairy—long considered one of the best dairies in Georgia—was built by students at Berry College in the 1930s, thanks in part to initial funds provided by such luminaries as Henry Ford and President Herbert Hoover.  

But when the dairy moved to a new location, this complex of brick and timber buildings faced an uncertain future. What happens to a dairy farm when the cows are gone?

What happened to this one is a textbook example of adaptive use. Today the former dairy farm has a new life as the WinShape Retreat. Fifteen original structures – from milking barns to silos – have been imaginatively rehabbed to provide top-quality facilities for conferences, retreats and summer camps. The dining hall, the centerpiece of the new complex, was once a milking barn. And what served as a barn to house calves on the dairy farm has now been converted into WinShape Retreat’s magnificent reception hall and welcome center.

“This is an inspiring example of what preservation is all about,” said Richard Moe, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. “The transformation of an architecturally significant but abandoned dairy facility into a thriving retreat is a powerful example of how adaptive use can breathe new life into historic buildings.”

Throughout, original architectural features have been sensitively retained, and great care has been taken to add modern systems without compromising the integrity of the historic buildings or their bucolic setting. The designers were also mindful of disturbing WinShape’s peaceful, rural setting. For example, to minimize the noise generated by the HVAC system, the builders utilized an underground geothermal piping grid to avoid the noise of outdoor compression units. 

Co-nominees honored today for WinShape Retreat’s Honor Award are: WinShape Foundation; Berry College; and Surber, Barber, Choate and Hertlein, Architects. P.C. 

The National Preservation Awards are bestowed on distinguished individuals, nonprofit organizations, public agencies and corporations whose skill and determination have given new meaning to their communities through preservation of our architectural and cultural heritage. These efforts include citizen attempts to save and maintain important landmarks; companies and craftsmen whose work restores the richness of the past; the vision of public officials who support preservation projects and legislation in their communities; and educators and journalists who help Americans understand the value of preservation.             

Shorter honors alums, homecoming court          

Shorter College’s Alumni Governing Board honored four Shorter graduates with its 2007 Distinguished Alumni Awards. The awards were presented during halftime of the college’s homecoming game on Saturday, Sept. 29. Rome, Ga., resident Dr. Carmen Acevedo Butcher, a 1982 graduate of the college, received the Distinguished Alumna Award. Covington, Ga., resident Vickie Bowen Henry, who graduated from Shorter in 1971, received the Distinguished Service Award. Rome, Ga., resident Meredith McClain Thomas and Albany, Ga., resident Michelle McClain Calabro, 1996 and 1997 Shorter graduates respectively, were jointly named this year’s Distinguished Young Alumnae> Alumni

Justin Webb and Carmen Prather were crowned as Shorter College’s homecoming king and queen during halftime of the Hawks' game Sept. 29> Homecoming

Coosa Valley Tech seeks grant for career academy building

(CVTC release) Coosa Valley Technical College is seeking funding for a Career Academy.  The Career Academy funding would be used toward the construction of an additional building for the Floyd County Schools College and Career Academy.

The Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education has $16 million in grant funds available to create Career Academies in the State of Georgia.  DTAE intends to award 5 grants for $3.2 million each to communities in Georgia.  The grants are expected to be awarded by next year.

This grant money, coupled with other in-kind donations and contributions, would be used to build an additional 14,000 square foot building on the campus of the Floyd County Technical High School.  This building would house the automated manufacturing and industrial systems labs for the Floyd County Schools College and Career Academy. The Floyd County Schools College and Career Academy, a partnership between Floyd County Schools, the Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce, and Coosa Valley Technical College, would help provide students with a seamless transition between high school and college.   

“Students who attend the Floyd County Schools College and Career Academy will be able to earn Coosa Valley Technical College credit while completing their high school coursework for graduation,” stated Carol Dugger, High School Initiatives Coordinator at Coosa Valley Technical College.  “Another great advantage of the Academy is that students can work toward a Bachelor of Applied Science in Manufacturing and Engineering from Southern Polytechnic State University.”

The Floyd County Schools College and Career Academy, through an online needs assessment, will identify the needs of employers in the community and match the education being taught at the academy to produce a skilled, qualified workforce. 

The Academy will focus on integrating high school academics and advanced career education programs.  As a result, high school students will be exposed to the requirements of college coursework and the expectations of business and industry.

“What makes this work so well is the strong level of cooperation and partnership between the Floyd County School System, Coosa Valley Technical College, and The Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce, and the visionary leaders we have in each of these organizations,” said Dugger.

Berry alums make Georgia Trend's '40 under 40'

Two Berry College graduates, Brian Brodrick and Brad Alexander, have been selected for Georgia Trend's annual "40 Under 40" 2007 edition now on sale and online.Brodrick is on the cover (top right, standing). The magazine's Web site shares the following on each:

>Brian Brodrick, 32, Partner, Jackson Spalding, City Council, Watkinsville. Opening lines: "Brian Brodrick has always understood the importance of beginning with the end in mind. As an elite distance runner, Brodrick drew strength from this philosophy during countless hours of grueling training that were necessary to compete at a championship level. Today, the former All-American continues to reap the benefits of this mindset – both as a partner with communications firm Jackson Spalding and as a city councilman in his hometown of Watkinsville." For more, click Trend

>Brad Alexander, 33, Chief of Staff Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, Decatur. Opening lines: "It wasn’t exactly a David vs. Goliath battle, but Casey Cagle’s campaign for lieutenant governor was definitely considered an uphill run.The reason: His main GOP primary opponent was Ralph Reed, the high-profile religious conservative considered a sure winner by many.But Reed had baggage (ties to the Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal), and Cagle had Brad Alexander running what turned out to be a very savvy campaign." For more, click Trend

WellStar donates nearly $310,000 to GHC nursing program

(GHC release) WellStar Health System Inc. has donated $308,798 to Georgia Highlands College’s Nursing Program located at Acworth.  The donation will allow GHC to develop a new hybrid career program for licensed practical nurses and paramedics to transition from their current jobs into the registered nurse course of study. 

The program will include an on-line format of the bridge course “Transition to Professional Nursing” which will be offered from January through July in modular format.  Upon successful completion of the on-line bridge course, LPNs and paramedics will transition into the second year of the RN program.  In addition, the donation will allow the current face-to-face bridge program to be offered at North Metro Technical College starting summer 2008. WellStar encourages its LPNs to become registered nurses so they can bring a wider range of skills and knowledge to patient care.  RNs, who hold associate or baccalaureate degrees, are in great demand in Northwest Georgia due to a severe nursing shortage.

The latest WellStar gift is the second since 2006, when the health care system contributed $300,000 to help create the GHC satellite nursing program in Acworth.  The college already offers a highly successful nursing program in downtown Rome.  More than half of the college’s nursing students, however, come from Cobb, Bartow and Cherokee Counties, so the addition of the Acworth program offers convenience to students and a steady supply of license-eligible graduates to WellStar.  The health system also provided $225,000 in scholarships to nursing students when the Acworth program was established. 

“WellStar is honored to partner with Georgia Highlands College on the bridge nursing program,” said Dr. Greg Simone, president and CEO of WellStar Health System.  “Because of the RN shortage, we want to do everything we can to create environments that encourage nurses to continue their education towards an RN degree.”

GHC President Dr. Randy Pierce said the program fits into the college’s overall work. “Because of our mission to make higher education accessible to all, the online and bridge programs make sense,” he said.  “They also allow us to produce well-trained professionals for the state’s workforce.” 

The most recent WellStar gift is a boost for the college’s Legacy campaign, the first major gifts initiative in GHC’s history.  Since 2006 the campaign has received contributions from 100 percent of the college faculty and staff, as well as generous donations from the GHC Foundation board members, community members and professional organizations.

Pictured above: From left: Dr. Greg Simone, president and CEO of WellStar Health System; Dr. Virginia Carson, vice president for academic affairs at Georgia Highlands College; Dr. Barbara Rees, director of nursing at GHC; and Dr. Randy Pierce, college president.

Budget travel guru Lansky coming to GHC-Rome

(GHC release) Budget travel expert and author Doug Lansky will teach students and community members how to survive world travel—and send one lucky audience member off to Europe—when the Georgia Highlands College Community Speakers series continues Oct. 11 with Lansky’s presentation “The 60-Minute World Travel Survival Guide.” (7 p.m., Lakeview)

Lansky began his life of travel after working the copy machines as a college intern at “The David Letterman Show,” Spy Magazine and The New Yorker. Rejecting a traditional career, Lansky spent the next several years picking bananas in Israel, snowmobile guiding in the Alps and selling carpets in Morocco. His nationally syndicated travel column appears in more than 40 newspapers, and he hosted a travel documentary for the Discovery Channel. Lansky is the author of several books including “Last Trout in Venice” and “Up the Amazon Without a Paddle.”

“Sometimes international adventures seem out of reach, so we’re proud to bring Doug Lansky to Georgia Highlands to help our students and others in the community find ways to explore and learn more about the world,” said John Spranza, director of student life.

Lansky will give away one free EuroRail pass, valued at several hundred dollars, at the end of his lecture. He will also be available for questions and book signings after the program. GHC’s Barnes and Noble bookstore will have several of Lansky’s books available for purchase.

The GHC student group Students Without Borders is co-sponsoring the event and will sell refreshments before and during the program to benefit its study abroad projects.

Lansky will speak Oct. 11 at 7 p.m. in the Lakeview Auditorium on the Floyd campus. Admission is free to anyone with a valid Georgia Highlands ID and $5 for all other community members. Visit www.douglansky.com for more information about Lansky.

Oct. 15/Second enrollment at CVTC's adult learning center: The Adult Learning Center at Coosa Valley Technical College in Rome has scheduled a second enrollment opportunity for afternoon classes for the fall quarter beginning on Oct. 15 at 1 p.m.  Classes will include adult reading, adult basic education, preparation for the GED Tests for High School Diploma, and English as a second language.  Classes are open to adults 18 and older who are officially withdrawn from school. (16- and 17-year-olds may apply for special permission to enroll in adult education.)  For more, call 706-295-6917.  There are opportunities for scholarships to cover the $95 GED testing fee, available to students who score exceptionally high on pre-testing. 

Georgia Highlands to screen 'March of the Penguins' Oct. 19

(GHC release) Local families will have the chance to check out penguins and life in the Antarctic when Georgia Highlands College presents a free showing of “March of the Penguins” Oct. 19. The film will be shown in conjunction with the Smithsonian traveling exhibit “Wondrous Cold: An Antarctic Journey” on display at the campus through Dec. 2.

“March of the Penguins,” an Academy Award-winning documentary, follows the yearly plight of emperor penguins as they trek across the harsh Antarctic continent. The film will be shown in the Lakeview Auditorium on the Floyd campus. Doors will open at 6 p.m. so families may visit the “Wondrous Cold” photographic exhibit, which depicts wildlife, landscapes and scientific research in Antarctica. Craft projects for kids will also be available beginning at 6 p.m.

“March of the Penguins” will begin at 6:45 p.m. Free pizza, popcorn and snow cones from Kalide-sno will be available.

For more information please contact John Spranza, director of student life, at (706) 368-7721 or jspranza@highlands.edu.

Shorter signs study abroad packs with Italy, universities institute

(Shorter release) Shorter College’s Office of International Programs has signed agreements with Study Abroad Italy and the Institute for American Universities, providing expanded study abroad opportunities for Shorter students. The college holds similar agreements with more than 50 institutions on six continents.

These newest partnerships provide Shorter students the opportunity to study in Italy and France, respectively, with financial discounts and smoother administrative processes. In Italy students may study at the Mediterranean Center for Arts and Sciences in Sicily; at the Florence University of Arts in Florence; at John Cabot University in Rome; and at the Domus Academy and the Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti di Milano in Milan. In France students will have the opportunity to study at Le Centre d’Aix and the Marchutz School in Aix-en-Provence and at Le Centre d’Avignon in Avignon.

“We add affiliate agreements because it is important to give different majors opportunities that fit their unique needs,” explained Dr. Robert Wallace, director of international programs. “The international experience is a growing priority of Shorter College, and we want to provide programs within a global context that meet the requirements for our students’ areas of study.”

In addition to the semester or year-long individual programs through these partner universities, numerous opportunities are available through Shorter’s Office of International Programs that connect today’s students with the world.

These faculty-led experiences include: the Americas Program, a four-week group program conducted in South or Central America; the Asia Program, a four-week group program conducted in numerous countries including China, India, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam; the Europe Program, a four-week group program conducted in England and one other European country; and the Department Program, a 10-day program offered by a specific academic department.

Hinson named Shorter's treasury analyst

(Shorter release) Jeanne Hinson has been named treasury analyst at Shorter College. In this role, she will monitor and forecast financial resources, reconcile daily accounts and produce scheduled financial reports. Hinson has 25 years of experience as a financial professional. She has worked as a financial consultant with Wachovia Securities, an accountant in various CPA firms and a self-employed business consultant. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting from Shorter College and a Bachelor of Science in organizational management from Saint Paul University in Virginia. Hinson and her husband, Michael, live in Rome.   

Shorter School of Arts announces fall schedule: The Shorter College School of the Arts has set its schedule of events for the fall semester. Listings

Berry College's Fine Arts Calendar for fall: For additional details, please click Berry Fine Arts:

Messer named Shorter's director of student activities

(Shorter release) Emily Messer has been named director of student activities at Shorter College. She will supervise student activities, intramurals, student orientation and leadership programming. Messer previously served for two years as a housing director and graduate assistant for student life at Jacksonville State University. She has also served as Youth in Government coordinator for the YMCA of Calhoun County and as interim director of tutoring services at Jacksonville State. While completing an internship in Southern Methodist University¹s office of new student programs, Messer received the Most Outstanding Intern Award from the National Orientation Directors Association in October 2006. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Master of Public Administration in education from Jacksonville State University. Messer and her husband, Chris, reside in Rome.

'Wondrous Cold' coming to Georgia Highlands this month

>Roberto Clemente exhibit due in March

(GHC release) The world’s harshest continent will be on display at Georgia Highlands College when the Smithsonian traveling exhibition “Wondrous Cold: An Antarctic Journey” opens Sept. 23 at the Lakeview Auditorium art gallery on the Floyd campus.  

“Wondrous Cold” features 50 color and black-and-white photographs by award-winning photographer Joan Myers of life and landscape in Antarctica. Large panoramas of Antarctica’s sheer scale and austerity are juxtaposed against photos of wildlife, scientists and the abandoned huts of early explorers. Panels detail the activities of researchers in climatology, glaciology, biology and astronomy at McMurdo Station and the support staff members who keep the station functioning. The exhibit explores the historical, scientific and political background of research in Antarctica as well as what daily life is like in Earth’s most remote location.

“We hope everyone will take advantage of the opportunity to see such an impressive exhibit here in Rome,” said John Spranza, director of student life. “Our past Smithsonian exhibitions have drawn everyone from elementary school groups to retired individuals, and we look forward to sharing the beauty of Antarctica with the community.”

The exhibition is organized by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service and is made possible by support from Quark Expeditions, a polar adventure travel company.

Georgia Highlands will host another Smithsonian exhibit, “Beyond Baseball: The Life of Roberto Clemente,”  March 16 through May 11, 2008.

“Wondrous Cold” will be on display until Dec. 2 before continuing on a national tour through 2010. The exhibit will be open to the public Mondays through Thursdays 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., Fridays 9 a.m. until noon, Sundays 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. and other times by appointment. Please contact Spranza at (706) 295-6363 or jspranza@highlands.edu for further information.

Latest edition of Berry's Alumni Accent newsletter now posted> Berry

Berry's annual Mountain Day celebration set for Oct. 5-7

The 2007 edition of Berry College's Mountain Day celebration is set for the weekend of Oct. 5-7. Activities include the Friday afternoon golf scramble, the Saturday morning fun run/health walk and the Saturday afternoon picnic and grand march. Also on tap: Reunions for the college classes of 1997 and 2002 as well as a special celebration marking the 20th anniversary of Berry's 1987 national championship in women's soccer. For more, click Mountain Day

Fincher named Shorter's VP of institutional advancement

(Shorter release) Ken Fincher, previously vice president of field development for the United Service Organizations, has been named vice president of institutional advancement at Shorter College. He will lead the college’s fundraising and alumni relations efforts.

“Ken Fincher has a broad range of fund-raising experience at the national level. That experience coupled with his knowledge of and love for Shorter College uniquely qualifies him for this important role that will have a significant impact on the college and our students both today and for generations to come,” said Dr. Harold E. Newman, president of Shorter College.

Mr. Fincher brings more than 21 years of non-profit sector experience to his post at Shorter, including leadership positions in the Boy Scouts of America, the American Red Cross, the USO and the YMCA. He earned his bachelor’s degree with a major in social sciences from Shorter College and was awarded a master’s in philanthropy and development from St. Mary’s University, Winona, Minn. He completed the executive leadership course at Vanderbilt University’s Graduate School of Business and holds a Mini-MBA for Non-Profit Managers from the University of St. Thomas, Minneapolis, Minn. He is also a Certified Fundraising Executive and a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

Mr. Fincher and his wife, Gretchen, have four children: Savannah, 16; Ben, 11; Tim, 5; and Shea, 3.

Princeton names Shorter 'best southeastern college,' 'value college'

(Shorter release) Shorter College has been ranked a “Best Southeastern College” and a “Best Value College” as named by the Princeton Review in the 2008 rankings. (Click) The Princeton Review’s rankings are based on the results of data received from administrators at colleges and universities across the nation, as well as on answers provided to an 80-question survey given to students at those schools.

This marks the fourth year Shorter has been included in the Princeton Review’s best-of lists. The rankings were posted on the Princeton Review’s Web site, www.princetonreview.com on Tuesday.

This ranking follows closely Shorter’s inclusion in the U.S. News & World Report 2008 “America’s Best Colleges” rankings, which placed Shorter College among the South’s top baccalaureate colleges. This marks the seventh consecutive year Shorter has made that list. Shorter College ranked at No. 22 on the list of baccalaureate colleges, a new category that includes institutions that focus on undergraduate education and offer a range of degree programs.

The liberal arts account for fewer than half of their bachelor’s degrees, and they also offer programs in professional fields such as business and education. Ouachita Baptist University in Arkansas topped the category.

“It is gratifying that Shorter is again ranked among the top-tier schools in the South,” said Dr. Harold E. Newman, president. “The past year has brought positive growth to Shorter College in the form of increased enrollment, the apartment building construction, and the development of our strategic plan for the future. This fall, we are looking for another record enrollment in our programs for traditional students, and our Professional Studies programs have an all-time high enrollment. We are encouraged that the rankings are one indicator that we are accomplishing this growth in an intelligent manner.”

In the fall of 2006, Shorter’s traditional student enrollment topped 1,040 for the first time. Fall semester classes began Thursday and 2007 enrollment figures will be collected when a final tally is completed next week. The college also enrolls more than 1,800 students in its Professional Studies division, which offers classes for working adults in Rome, North Atlanta, Lawrenceville and Riverdale.