For the 11th consecutive year, The Princeton Review has ranked Saint Mary's College among the best colleges and universities in the Midwest.
Gwen O'Brien, director of media relations at Saint Mary's, said the College was one of 155 institutions listed in the "Best of the Midwest" section of the Review's website feature "2014 Best Colleges: Region by Region" published in early August. According to The Princeton Review, the "Best in the Midwest" achievement is awarded to colleges and universities in twelve states: Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
The Princeton Review's publisher Robert Franek stated in an Aug. 8. Saint Mary's press release the list is compiled after many particulars have been considered.
"From several hundred schools in each region, we winnowed our list based on institutional data we collected directly from the schools, our visits to schools over the years, and the opinions of our staff, plus college counselors and advisors whose recommendations we invite," Franek said. "We also take into account what students at the schools reported to us. Only schools that permit us to independently survey their students are eligible to be considered for our regional 'best' lists."
Saint Mary's College President Carol Ann Mooney said she was delighted the College was recognized once more.
"We are very pleased to once again be included among The Princeton Review's 'Best in the Midwest,'" Mooney said. "Our commitment to an excellent intellectual and academic experience for our students is unwavering. Our graduates are our best recruiters. Their accomplishments speak volumes about the quality of the educational experience they received here."
Junior Amanda Gilbert said she is pleased with her courses and believes the ranking will attract students from around the country to Saint Mary's.
"Every class that I take here is enlightening in different ways," Gilbert said. "I hope that being recognized like this will make our school even more appealing to students from places besides the Midwest."
Saint Mary's Vice President for Enrollment Management Mona Bowe agreed, saying this achievement helps get the word out about the College and its outstanding education.
"I hear families say that Saint Mary's is 'the best kept secret,'" Bowe said. "While we agree, we really strive to share the distinctiveness of Saint Mary's with as many people as possible. Being recognized by Forbes, Washington Monthly, or as is the case of being named a 'Best in the Midwest' institution by the Princeton Review, allows us to do just that."
