Outstanding graduation and retention rates put Centre students on the road to extraordinary success

RELEASED: May 24, 2007

DANVILLE, KY—With the summer here, high school students, their parents and counselors are taking a more serious look at the college admission process. From financial aid and scholarship to preparation for life after Centre, there's a lot to consider.

In a recent article by Lexington Herald-Leader journalist Art Jester, Centre was featured for its excellent graduation and retention rates. Centre leads Kentucky in its rates of retention and graduation and also compares well nationally in these areas.

A report from the College's Office of Academic Affairs indicates that Centre achieves a 90 percent first-year retention rate and an 80 percent graduate rate over four years.

"Over my six years in the associate dean's office, I've increasingly understood that keeping all students academically engaged has a positive impact on retention," says William Johnston, associate dean for academic affairs. "We have found that increasing students' academic engagement has a positive effect, and it also helps the College to maintain the right focus on transforming students into lifetime learners."

In recent years, the Office of Academic Affairs has increased its coordination and communication with the Student Life Office. Each week, staff members discuss the progress of students, especially when a student shows signs of having psychological stress.

In addition, the Office of Academic Affairs works with Centre President John Roush to send a "midsummer's letter" to all returning students. Topics include everything from campus improvement projects to congratulatory notes on student successes.

"Our hope is to get students excited about returning and reconnecting," Johnston says. "We expect that these letters have some positive impact on summer retention loss."

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Founded in 1819, Centre College is ranked among the U.S. News top 50 national liberal arts colleges. Consumers Digest ranks Centre No. 1 in educational value among all U.S. 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.