FHU Remains in Top Tier of U.S. News and World Report 2013 Guidebook

Freed-Hardeman University has maintained its place in the top tier of the U.S. News and World Report’s annual rankings released Wednesday, Sept. 12. FHU placed 39th in the “Best Regional Universities—South” category. FHU has been a top tier school for the past 12 years.

“Freed-Hardeman University has an excellent corps of teachers who care about their students. I believe that is the foundation for a high quality education,” FHU President Joe Wiley said. “In addition, the university fosters opportunities to expand learning outside the traditional classroom through the use of technology and travel. We seek to challenge the very able student while still providing help for those who need it.”

“We are certainly honored that U.S. News and World Report has again recognized the quality of our FHU academic experience. We believe the FHU experience presents a tremendous opportunity for students who want to join a dynamic academic community,” Dr. C.J. Vires, FHU vice president for academics, said. “Local businesses, health care agencies and schools have long recognized the quality of our graduates. We fully expect this quality to be enhanced by the opening of Anderson Science Center this fall and the continued emphasis on technology,” he concluded.

Mark Scott, vice president for innovation and technology, believes the iKnow initiative contributes to the university’s achievement ranking. An iPad program began this fall for incoming freshmen. The device allows for complete interaction with faculty, students, and content.

Director of Theatre Cliff Thompson has found the iPad particularly useful as a “media consumption device.” “For example,” he said, “I introduce the students to various design styles and ask them to find examples of set designs in each style. They then share their findings using a tool called Corkulous with the entire class.”

The America’s Best Colleges report looks the nation’s schools based on key indicators of excellence, including peer assessment, graduation and retention rates, percentage of faculty who are full-time, student-faculty ratio, ACT/SAT scores, student selectivity and alumni giving rate.

A regional university, according to the report, provides a full range of undergraduate majors and master’s degree programs, while offering a few doctoral programs. This category includes 625 universities and four geographic categories. Schools are ranked against their peer group.

Other West Tennessee institutions ranked in the regional category’s top tier were Union University and University of Tennessee at Martin.

The Best Colleges 2013 guidebook is available online and will be on newsstands Sept. 18.