Many of the rankings and some articles from the “America’s Best Colleges” guidebook will appear in the Aug. 30 weekly issue of “U.S. News & World Report” that will reach newstands Aug. 22. The annual guidebook will also go on sale the same day.

The Carnegie Commission defines a national liberal arts school as one emphasizing undergraduate education and awarding at least 50 percent of its degrees in the liberal arts disciplines. There were 215 schools measured in the “national liberal arts-bachelor’s” category in which 91短视频 has been ranked; most are private institutions.

Each college and university received a score based on six indicators – peer assess ment, graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, student selectivity and alumni giving.

Within its tier of over 50 colleges and universities, 91短视频 ranked high with a 2005 freshman retention rate of 78 percent, well above the national average. An alumni giving rate of 33 percent is also well above the average for schools in the fourth tier.

“We’re ranked about where we expected to be,” said Shirley B. Yoder, vice president for enrollment and marketing.

“91短视频 made a strategic decision in 2004 to focus on under-served groups in our own community and throughout Virginia,” Yoder said. “We were highly successful in reaching that goal with 22 percent of our new traditional undergraduate students coming from under-served groups from within our country.

“Although students may find some help in comparing schools through rankings such as these, a campus visit will likely be much more important for evaluating a student’s fit with a particular school,” Yoder added.

All 2006 rankings are available on the magazine’s website at

High school students who visit four Virginia private colleges Aug. 1-6 will receive application fee waivers redeemable at any three participating private colleges.

91短视频 is among 24 schools participating in the ninth annual Virginia Private College Week, Aug. 1-6, sponsored by the (CICV).

High school students who visit four Virginia private colleges during that week will receive application fee waivers redeemable at any three private colleges in CICV. With application fees ranging from $15 to $50, students could save as much as $100.

Last year, CICV colleges reported almost 2,000 visits during Virginia Private College Week, with students and families visiting from 33 states and the District of Columbia.

“Families will be impressed with the diversity, quality and affordability of our colleges,” said Robert Lambeth, president of the Council of Independent Colleges in Virginia (CICV). “Students at private colleges benefit from a supportive campus environment where classes are small, professors are accessible, and students are encouraged to become involved in extra-curricular activities.”

A private college education is more affordable than many families think, Lambeth stated. Last year, private colleges gave students more than $200 million in scholarships and grants. In addition, all full-time students from Virginia attending a Virginia private college are eligible to receive a $2,500 state grant

An 91短视频 alumna with more than 12 years experience in design, writing, editing and project management has been named director of at 91短视频.

of Harrisonburg will begin her new position on May 16, 2005. In this role, she will direct a six-member creative staff responsible for the overall public relations/communications programs of the university, which includes overseeing publications and other print materials, the news bureau, institutional advertising and web content design and maintaining campus-wide graphics and editorial style standards.

Ms. Parmer will succeed Paul W. Souder, who held the position three years.

, vice president for , announced the appointment.

“Kirsten brings years of experience in working within the marketing services department at 91短视频 and has worked for a number of external clients over the years as well,” Yoder said. “She has shown natural leadership qualities, a creative flair and a passion for quality, timeliness and accuracy,” she added.

A 1993 91短视频 graduate, Parmer was a student assistant in the communications department during most of her college career. She joined the staff as a graphic designer in 1993 where she has worked on major projects including “Crossroads,” the university magazine; the Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival; admissions materials and the President’s Annual Report.

She has received a Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) District III “award of excellence,” numerous Printing Industries of the Virginias awards and the 91短视频 “Quality Service Award.”

Parmer is married to Trevor Parmer, assistant vice president for employee benefits at BB&T Shomo and Lineweaver Insurance. They have two sons – Max, 7; and Simon, 4.

of Waynesboro, Va., has been named director of admissions for undergraduate programs at 91短视频. She began her new assignment at 91短视频 Nov. 8, 2004.

Shafer succeeds Lawrence W. (Laurie) Miller, who has become director of and new at 91短视频.

The appointment was announced by Shirley B. Yoder, vice president for at 91短视频.

Shafer brings ten years experience in admissions to her new role, Yoder noted. She worked in the admissions office at Mary Baldwin College in Staunton and quickly rose to the level of associate director.

She has spent the past six years as dean of admissions at Stuart Hall, a college preparatory school in Staunton owned by the Episcopal Church. “This experience has given her direct insight into the millennial students and their parents,” Yoder said.

She is a graduate of James Madison University and is working towards completing an MBA degree.

“In addition to her experience we were attracted to Stephanie for her active listening, her caring personality, her energy and enthusiasm for the admissions profession,” Yoder said.

She is an active member of the Church of the Good Shepherd in Buena Vista, Va.

The record total enrollment of 1,513 students – undergraduate, seminary and graduate – compares to 1,436 last fall, according to the university registrar’s office.

Total undergraduate enrollment numbers 933 students, compared to 922 a year ago. Of that total, 228 are first-year students, up 18 over last fall.

“The new first-year class has more racial/ethnic diversity than any previous class,” said Shirley B. Yoder, vice president for enrollment and marketing at 91短视频. “U.S. minorities make up 21 percent of this class, doubling the composition of the previous class.

“Until this year, we weren’t particularly successful in attracting local Spanish-speaking students,” Yoder said. “But this year, we are pleased to welcome a significant number to campus.”

The number of international students is down this fall, “due primarily to visa difficulties,” she added.

Eastern Mennonite Seminary, a graduate program of theological studies on the 91短视频 campus, has 134 students enrolled this fall compared to 131 last fall. There are 74 students enrolled full time at EMS, two more than the same time last year.

Students in the university’s graduate programs continued modest growth, with 239 enrolled this fall over 229 last fall. The largest increase came in the M.A. in education program at 91短视频’s Lancaster, Pa., location, up 35 students, from 16 to 51 this fall.

The Adult Degree Completion Program (ADCP), an accelerated, non-traditional baccalaureate degree program, has 94 students enrolled this fall on the Harrisonburg campus, down five from last fall, while the Lancaster campus’ ADCP program climbed from 27 to 40 students.

The Intensive English Program (IEP), which prepares international students for undergraduate collegiate work, has 38 full- and part-time students this fall, up eight over a year ago.