"These rankings are a testament to the hard work and commitment of so many people at this university," said USC President Andrew A. Sorensen.  "The first year of college is a critical one for students, one that sets the tone for their college career, including their choice of major, their academic performance, their social networks and their campus and community involvement.  Many years ago, Carolina recognized the importance of the freshman year and pioneered this program, which has been emulated worldwide.  It has made an enormous difference in the lives of so many of our students, and I am pleased that we have received this recognition."

USC's latest No. 1 ranking is based on the university's pioneering University 101 course, which has been a model for colleges and universities nationwide and abroad since it was established 30 years ago.  The semester-long course helps first-year students make the transition from high school to college by introducing them to academic resources, campus facilities and traditions and addressing areas such as time management, communication, critical thinking, values and social issues.  About 80 percent of students take the course, which is taught by USC faculty and staff.

University 101 director Dan Berman praised the faculty and staff for their hard work.  "This award is deeply gratifying and exciting," he said.  "Literally hundreds of faculty, staff and administrators must share in this great honor -- but above all, it is due to the involvement and dedication of our fine undergraduate students who so actively participate and excel in our classes."

For the ranking, magazine editors asked university presidents, chief academic officers and deans of students to nominate "stellar examples" of programs that enhance learning and then listed institutions that received the most votes.

Among those colleges and universities ranking behind USC were Princeton (No. 4), Duke and Stanford (No.5), Harvard and North Carolina-Chapel Hill (No. 10), Wake Forest (No. 16) and Virginia (No. 23).

Source: USC News article posted online on September 13, 2002

USC named an Institution of Excellence in the First College Year

The University of South Carolina has been named an Institution of Excellence in the First College Year by the Policy Center on the First Year of

College, a national research center with a basic mission to improve the first year of college. The Policy Center, directed by John N. Gardner, is funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts and The Atlantic Philanthropies and is located in Brevard, North Carolina.  The University of South Carolina joins twelve other colleges and universities in the US selected for this honor.  These campuses were chosen from a field of 130 nominees through a competitive selection process.  A national panel of higher education experts made the final selections based on the following criteria: an intentional, comprehensive approach to first-year student education; continuous improvement driven by meaningful assessments; broad impact on significant numbers of first-year students; strong enduring institutional support and leadership for first-year initiatives; an involvement of a broad range of faculty, student affairs professionals, administrators and others in first-year programs.  The University of South Carolina was the only flagship institution selected for the award.

Source: The Policy Center on the First Year of College