The New York Times references Centre in recent article

RELEASED: March 1, 2007

DANVILLE, KY—In a time when college rankings and name recognition seem to drive the college search process, students, families and counselors may be left wondering what qualities really make for a good match. This week, The New York Times explored that question and referenced Centre in an article about Loren Pope, author of Looking Beyond the Ivy League and Colleges That Change Lives.

In his 2006-2007 fully revised book Colleges That Change Lives, Pope includes Centre as one of 40 schools that will change the way people think about college.

Based on his deep experience as an education editor and direct interaction with students and faculty at hundreds of colleges throughout the nation, Pope places great weight on the fundamental values of institutions and how they impact students over time. "It is...valuable," he advises, "to consider the characteristics that are at the heart of a college's ability to enrich and empower students, year after year, generation after generation."

"Centre students are bright, wholesome, polite, friendly and personable, eager to do well, and serious about what life holds for them," says Pope in Colleges That Change Lives. "It would be hard to have malcontents in a community so familial that it makes students 'sad' to think of leaving and alums 'grieve' that they can't come back."

The book includes information on each school's program and personality; candid assessments by students, professors and deans; a comprehensive, 10-years-later evaluation at the end of each profile by students and alumni and information on the progress of graduates.

Since Colleges That Change Lives was first published in 1996, students, parents and college counselors have relied on Pope's insight for looking at colleges that develop potential, values and initiative in students.

Adds Pope, "Ten years later, Centre seniors and alums are even more enthusiastic, if that's possible. They think Centre is without peer, that they couldn't have had the same opportunities or challenges elsewhere and they want their children to have the same."

He concludes by giving Centre faculty the highest praise possible. "No university faculty compares with Centre's in the impact it has on the growth of young minds and personalities."

To read the New York Times article, click here.

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Founded in 1819, Centre College is ranked among the U.S. News top 50 national liberal arts colleges. Centre alumni, known for their nation-leading loyalty in annual financial support, include two U.S. vice presidents and two Supreme Court justices. For more, visit http://www.centre.edu/web/elevatorspeech/

For news archives go to http://www.centre.edu/web/news/newsarchive.html.