Campus Currents

WWC is Tops

Walla Walla College was listed in the top tier of its category in the 2002 “America’s Best Colleges” guidebook published by U.S.News & World Report. Walla Walla College appeared in Tier 1, representing the top 25 percent of all universities in the western half of the U.S. that offer a full range of undergraduate programs, some master’s level programs, and few, if any, doctoral programs.

Academic quality is judged in seven broad areas: academic reputation; retention and graduation of students; faculty resources; student selectivity; financial resources; alumni giving; and the difference between the number of expected graduates and the actual results.

The college’s highest score was in the area of alumni giving where it ranked fifth. Approximately 30 percent of WWC graduate alumni gave to their alma mater in 2000-01.

Walla Walla College has other good news this year. Enrollment is the highest it’s been in 20 years. The official count of 1,823 students, taken on the tenth day of fall quarter, is an increase of nearly 30 students from last year.

“Student retention was high this year,” says Ginger Ketting-Weller, associate vice president for academic administration. “We are pleased because this indicates that students and parents value the education and learning environment they experience at Walla Walla College.”

A new social work graduate program in Billings, Mont. also contributed to the increased enrollment. W

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