University is one of best nationally for African American students

COLUMBUS -- Black Enterprise magazine has again ranked The Ohio State University as one of the 50 best colleges nationally for African American students. Ohio State ranks No. 44 in the October 2004 issue, up from 45th last year.

Mac Stewart, vice provost for the Office of Minority Affairs, said that Ohio State’s ability to remain competitive with the nation’s top private institutions, including some of the historically Black colleges and universities, indicates that the university’s strategies are working.

“Developing programs that address the academic interests and needs of our students and provide a solid base of support are extremely important,” Stewart said. “We will continue to seek ways to remain a university community that thrives because of its commitment to diversity.”

The results are based on surveys conducted with nearly 1,900 African American professionals in higher education who assessed the academic and social credentials of 482 colleges and universities. The five-year graduation rate for African Americans and the percentage of African American undergraduates also were considered.

Morehouse University retained its No. 1 ranking. Spelman College and Hampton, Howard and Xavier universities rounded out the top five, respectively.