Posted on Friday, September 13, 2019
LaGrange College has been named a leading school in the South, according to annual rankings released this week by U.S. News & World Report.
The institution has been rated as a top-five school among 122 Regional Colleges in the South, placing fifth on this year’s list. It is the only Georgia school in the top 20.
In addition, LaGrange was named a “best value,” described by the publication as “a great school at a great price.”
It also earned high marks for undergraduate teaching (tied for fourth) and social mobility (23rd).
“We are thrilled to see our commitment to student success being recognized as one of the best,” said college President Dan McAlexander. “We take seriously our mission to prepare our students to become successful, responsible citizens who aspire to lives of integrity and moral courage – and it’s gratifying to see that acknowledged.”
Factors considered in the top schools ranking include outcomes (graduation and retention rates, and social mobility), faculty resources (class size and faculty salary), expert opinion of peer institution leaders, financial resources, student excellence (standardized test scores and high school class standing) and alumni giving.
In designating a school as a “best value,” the magazine takes into account a school’s academic quality and the net cost of attendance for a student who received the average level of need-based financial aid. Only those schools ranked in the top half of their ranking categories were considered for the best value list.
The best undergraduate teaching rankings focused on “schools where faculty and administrators are committed to teaching undergraduate students in a high-quality manner,” the magazine reported.
College presidents, provosts and admissions deans who participate in an annual peer assessment survey were asked to nominate up to 15 schools in their ranking category with a strength in undergraduate teaching. LaGrange tied with Flagler College in Florida for fourth place. It was the only Georgia school in that designation’s top 10.
New this year, the social mobility list measures how well schools performed in graduating students who received Pell Grants (federal aid reserved for the nation’s neediest students).
Joseph Miller, LaGrange College’s Vice President for Enrollment, said that more than 98 percent of the school’s students receive some form of financial aid, and families are often surprised at the amount they receive.
“The average financial aid package from LaGrange meets about 92 percent of a student’s total need,” he said. “That means that the vast majority of our families are investing about the same amount in a college education as they would at a public institution.”
It’s only 35 days until Homecoming 2019. Have you made your plans yet? Visit www.lagrange.edu/homecoming to learn about all the exciting things scheduled for you that weekend.
There are still spots available for this year’s Panther Treks adventure to Spain on March 21-29 with retired History Professor Joe Cafaro. Visit the Panther Treks page for more information or contact alumni@lagrange.edu.
Congratulations to the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program for receiving a grant for the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs accreditation process. The funding is through the National Board of Certified Counselors. “It was such an honor to receive this national grant award,” said Dr. Kelly Veal, Program Coordinator. “The grant provides funding for all phases of the CACREP accreditation process, beginning with the pre-application phase and ending with the site visit.”
The Writing Center is now open for the fall semester. Walk-in hours are 5-10 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays. The center is also open during contact hours (11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.) on Tuesdays and Thursdays. For more information, contact Dr. Justin Thurman, Writing Center Director and Associate Professor of English, at jthurman@lagrange.edu.
Political Science graduate Robert Allen ’19 and Dr. John A. Tures published the article "Why isn't Stacey Abrams running? Because African Americans lose to incumbent governors and senators" in The Conversation. It was also published in The Chicago Tribune, The Houston Chronicle, The San Francisco Chronicle, The San Antonio Express-News, Salon Magazine, and a variety of local newspapers.
Because of generous supporters, last year the college was able to provide financial assistance to 98% of all undergraduates. Gifts also ensured resources like The Tutoring Center, The Writing Center and PACE (the Panther Academic Center for Excellence) were free and open to help students. If at least 1,140 alumni join us in supporting students by June 30, 2020, it will show how passionate our alumni are about higher education, providing great opportunities for the next year. Go to www.lagrange.edu/give or call the Development office at 706-880-8039 to make your gift.
Tuesday
Thursday
Football
LC opened the 2019 season with a 29-14 win over Birmingham-Southern in Callaway Stadium last Saturday. Senior Brendon Scott rushed for 127 yards and three touchdowns, including one for 62 yards. The Panther defense held Birmingham-Southern to 103 rushing yards. LC plays at nationally ranked Berry on Saturday. Kickoff is 6 p.m.
Cross country
The Panther teams competed at the Middle Georgia Invitational in Macon, Georgia, last Saturday. Sophomore Bryan Storie finished first for the men, who were third in the team standings. Freshman Alex Whiten was 28th out of 80 runners on the women’s side. The teams travel to Rocky Mount, North Carolina, for the N.C. Wesleyan Invitational on Sept. 21.
Women’s soccer
The Panthers (3-3) stopped visiting Toccoa Falls 3-2 on Wednesday. Senior Olivia Braun had two goals, while sophomore Sydney Dailey added a goal and two assists. The Panthers play at William Peace on Sunday.
Men’s soccer
The Panthers (1-3) blanked visiting Toccoa Falls 5-0 on Wednesday for their first win. LC had five different players score in the victory. Freshman Blake Webb had a goal and two assists. The team plays at USA South
Volleyball
LC (1-7) downed Pensacola Christian in Richter Gym on Tuesday for its first win of 2019. Senior Jazzlyn Kenner had a match-high 14 kills and .722 attack percentage. The Panthers play in the Sewanee (Tennessee) Invitational today (Friday) and Saturday.
Upcoming
Wednesday – Women’s soccer vs. Talladega, 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 20-21 – Volleyball hosts the LaGrange Invitational
Sept. 21 – Women’s soccer vs. Mary Baldwin, noon
Men’s Soccer vs. Averett, 2 p.m.
Sept. 22 – Men’s soccer vs. William Peace, 2 p.m.
LaGrange College ranked among best in the South – LaGrange Daily News, Sept. 10, 2019
LaGrange putting in the work to build better black-white relationships – Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Sept. 10, 2019
Panthers open in style – LaGrange Daily News, Sept. 9, 2019
Panthers’ defense stands tall – LaGrange Daily News, Sept. 9, 2019
Game day arrives for Panthers – LaGrange Daily News, Sept. 7-8, 2019
Panthers fall short in first home game – LaGrange Daily News, Sept. 7-8, 2019
LaGrange College ranks in Top 5 – Troup County News, Sept. 10, 2019
Category: Academics, College
Keywords: U.S. News & World Report rankings Panther
