Niagara University recognized for academics, service by U.S. News & World Report

Niagara University is again listed among the best colleges and universities in the north, according to annual rankings released Sept. 6 by U.S. News and World Report. NU is also recognized as one of the top 24 institutions in the U.S. when it comes to offering its students service-learning opportunities.

Ranked 68^th in the top tier of colleges and universities in the northeastern U.S. that provide a full range of undergraduate and master's degree programs, Niagara is one of only two schools in New York state (Wagner College in Staten Island is the other) to be distinguished for its outstanding programs aimed at enriching the students' experience.

The Catholic and Vincentian university is a mainstay on U.S. News and World Report's list of elite service-learning universities and, in May, NU was named to the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for the fifth consecutive year.

"Niagara is quite pleased to receive additional national recognition for our service-learning programs," said the Rev. Joseph L. Levesque, C.M., president of Niagara University. "Education experts agree that involving students in community service either as volunteers or as part of their course work is linked to success in their studies and in their professional lives. Service learning is an integral part of our mission and something that we take very seriously."

In calculating the service-learning program rankings, U.S. News and World Report invited college presidents, chief academic officers, deans of students and deans of admissions from more than 1,500 schools to nominate up to 10 institutions with stellar examples of service learning. These rankings are based on internships, the first year experience, learning communities, senior capstone, service learning, study abroad, undergraduate research/creative projects and writing in disciplines.

The rankings are available online at www.usnews.com and will appear in the September edition of the magazine, which will be on newsstands Sept. 20.

For more information about Niagara University, visit www.niagara.edu.