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Bucknell University Achieves Nation's Best Graduation Rate - BUCKNELL UNIVERSITY OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE
9/2/2003 8:00:00 AM | General
Bucknell University Achieves Nation's Best Graduation Rate
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Sept. 2, 2003
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Bucknell University led all NCAA divisions with a perfect 100 percent graduation rate of its student-athletes, the NCAA announced in Tuesday's edition of USA TODAY. It is the third time that Bucknell has led the nation in graduation rates, and the extraordinary feat makes Bucknell one of only 15 schools to receive the prestigious USA TODAY-NCAA Academic Achievement Award.
Made possible by a $2.9 million gift from USA TODAY to the NCAA, the Academic Achievement Award recognizes colleges and universities in three categories: institutions graduating the highest percentage of student-athletes, institutions with the highest student-athlete graduation rates above the average of the student body and institutions with the greatest increase in percentage of student-athletes over the previous year.
Bucknell was officially cited for having the highest graduation rate among all Division I-AA institutions. Moreover, Bucknell's 100 percent graduation rate was the highest in any NCAA division, equaled only by Division III University of New England.
"At a university where academics are given the highest level of priority, I could not be more proud of our student-athletes and athletics staff for helping Bucknell uphold that tradition," said university president Steffen H. Rogers. "Honors such as the USA TODAY-NCAA Academic Achievement Award and 10 Patriot League Presidents' Cups in the last 13 years provide tangible evidence that Bucknell is not only succeeding in athletics, but succeeding in the right way."
Bucknell has consistently ranked among the national leaders in successfully graduating its student-athletes. The Bison have ranked in the top 10 in every year the NCAA has conducted its survey. The current graduation rates survey factors student-athletes who entered school in 1996, allowing six years to graduate.
"This tremendous achievement reflects the hard work and dedication of each and every Bison student-athlete, coach and staff member," said John Hardt, director of athletics and recreation. "Our number one departmental decision-making priority is the educational interests of our Bison student-athletes. We are a 'student-centered' department, with a keen focus on the education and welfare of our student-athletes. In that regard, to receive the Academic Achievement Award from the USA TODAY and NCAA is one of the highest honors that could be bestowed upon Bucknell's athletics programs."
Other division graduation rates leaders include the University of Notre Dame (92 percent) in Division I-A, Bradley University (93 percent) in Division I-AAA and LeMoyne College (92 percent) in Division II.
National leaders in graduation rates above the student-body average are Boise State University, Texas Southern University, Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis, Oakland City University and University of New England.
The institutions with the greatest increase in student-athlete graduation rates are University of Oklahoma, Delaware State University, University of Arkansas-Little Rock, St. Martin's College and New England College.
Each of these schools will be recognized at a reception and banquet at the USA TODAY headquarters in McLean, Va., on Nov. 7. Dr. Myles Brand, NCAA president, and Craig A. Moon, president and publisher of USA TODAY, will present the awards during the event.
A highly selective, privately endowed university with 3,350 undergraduate students, Bucknell sponsors 26 intercollegiate sports, 14 for women and 12 for men, at the Division I level (1-AA in football). A charter member of the Patriot League, Bucknell ranks third in Division I in producing Verizon Academic All-Americans with 106 since 1970.
