Part of the fun of going away to college is the opportunity to learn all about a new town or city. For many college graduates, even those who have moved away after they finished school, their college town will always hold a special place in their hearts.
One group of students that probably enjoys getting to know their new town more than most are those over at New York University, located in Greenwich Village, one of the hippest and trendiest neighborhoods in New York City. The university has, among many other world-renowned programs, an excellent journalism program. This program is about to get even better, considering the fact that the New York Times is giving some talented students a lucky break by hiring them to cover the local Village beat.
The Local East Village is a new website that features—you guessed it—hyper-local news that is happening right where NYU students live, study, and have fun. The site will launch this fall as a joint effort between the Times and the Arthur L. Carter Institute at NYU. Students will report and write on the daily happenings in the East Village. If you are an aspiring journalist, then you’ll know this is one cool byline to have on your resume.
In a time when newspapers and magazines have taken a direct hit in a flailing economy, there are some critics who say that the Times is not helping matters by using unpaid student labor to launch a new money-making initiative. I can certainly understand where this negative response is coming from, as I have sadly watched content at the newsstand diminish over the past several years. Still, I’m choosing to focus on the positive here, which is that these lucky NYU journalism majors are going to get a chance to be published writers well before they graduate.
All eyes are on Canada these days, particularly Vancouver, where the 2010 Winter Olympics are well underway. (Did you see the Opening Ceremonies? So cool.) In true Olympic spirit, I was pretty pumped to see Canada’s Alexandre Bilodeau win a gold medal in men’s moguls on his own turf, even though he did beat American skier Bryon Wilson.
I hear it’s pretty fun to go to college in Vancouver in general, but how awesome would it be to be a college student there now? If students don’t have the chance to break away from campus to go to any of the events, I’m sure there are tons of opportunities for on-campus viewing of the Olympics.
Let’s take a look at some of the colleges and universities in British Columbia where they are cheering on the “true North strong and free”:
Emily Carr University of Art & Design
Corpus Christi College
Douglas College
Drake Medox College
University Canada West
University of British Columbia
Arbutus College
Eton College
Fairleigh Dickinson College—Vancouver
Langara College
La Salle College
MTI Community College
New Image College of Fine Arts
Pacific Coast Community College
Royal Canadian College
Simon Fraser University
Vancouver Academy of Music
Vancouver Academy of Dramatic Arts
That’s just a short list. I haven’t touched all of the community colleges and career colleges that are part of Vancouver and the greater British Columbia area.
So it seems that American high school students aren’t the only ones with lots of choices when it comes to higher ed. However, when it comes to campuses with Olympic spirit, it seems that colleges in Vancouver have everywhere else beat—at least until the torch is extinguished.
On Presidents’ Day, we’re usually too busy enjoying our long holiday weekend to put much thought into why we have a day off in the first place. So this year, we’re going to remind you in the only way The CollegeBound Network can—with a roundup of colleges and universities that are named after U.S. presidents.
Getting anything named after you is a pretty big deal, but the fact that some of the greatest schools in the country are named after some of the greatest presidents in history says a lot. (It also says we need to get working on electing a female president, but that’s for another blog). Take a look:
The George Washington University, Washington, DC. When President George Washington died in 1799, his will called for 50 of his shares in the Potomac Company to go towards financing a university in the District of Columbia. An act of Congress in 1821 created Columbian College, which, after changing names a few times, became George Washington University in 1904.
GW President Steven Knapp has said that President Washington sought a center of higher education that focused on open discussion and that brought people with different perspectives together. “We are a globalized version of the university that George Washington envisioned,” President Knapp has said. (Thanks to Menachem Wecker, writer and editor at George Washington Today, the university’s official news source, for that information)
Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Virginia. The struggling Liberty Academy got back on its feet thanks to an endowment by President George Washington worth thousands of dollars in James River Canal stock. The school was renamed in his honor. (Years later, Confederate General Robert E. Lee was president of the college for a brief time beginning in 1865, and so that is why his name was later added as well.)
Jeffery Hanna, executive director of communications and public affairs at Washington and Lee wrote to us in an email, “In a letter to the trustees acknowledging the institution’s new name, Washington wrote, ‘To promote Literature in the rising Empire, and to encourage the Arts, have ever been amongst the warmest wishes of my heart.’ Generations of Washington and Lee students have been inspired by the first president’s generosity. The University prides itself not only on the uncommon educational experience that blends the liberal arts with professional programs, but also on its dedication to educating students for character and preparing them for the moral responsibilities they will face as citizens and leaders.”
Lincoln University of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Lincoln University, Pennsylvaia. The school got its start as the Ashmun Institute in 1854 but was named after President Abraham Lincoln in 1866. Lincoln would be very happy to know that this Pennsylvania college has always supported the education of African-Americans and now attracts highly diverse and international students to its campus. Notable Lincoln alumni include Langston Hughes, poet, and Thurgood Marshall, the first African-American U.S. Supreme Court Justice.
James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia. The mission statement of the school is: “We are a community committed to preparing students to be educated and enlightened citizens who lead productive and meaningful lives.” Seems like our 4th president would be proud of his namesake.
Here are some others:
Franklin Pierce College, Rindge, NH
Harry S. Truman College, Chicago, IL
Monroe College, Bronx and New Rochelle, NY
Roosevelt University, Chicago, IL
Truman State University, Kirksville, MO
Washington and Jefferson College, Washington, PA
Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
Our list is by no means exhaustive. There are a number of other two-year and four-year colleges across the country named after presidents, not to mention graduate schools within universities, like the Clinton School of Public Service at the University of Arkansas.
Did we leave your school off our list? Leave a comment below and let us know what students on your campus are doing to make their presidential namesake proud. Happy Presidents’ Day!
The 2010 Winter Olympics officially start tonight with Opening Ceremonies in Vancouver, and I’m pretty pumped for it. Though I will be watching from the comfort of my couch, I know I’ll still be cheering when I see Team USA carry the flag during the Parade of Nations.
Of course, my excitement won’t come close to matching that of the Ithaca College students who are going along for the ride as part of the NBC Sports internship program. NBC Sports has chosen 31 students from the Park School of Communications at Ithaca to go and live in the international media village in Vancouver for the duration of the Winter Games and work alongside media professionals covering the events. Talk about getting some valuable experience for your resume!
This is not the first time Ithaca College has gone to the Olympics. In fact, students have interned with NBC sports at the Olympics in Beijing and in Turin, too. NBC obviously sees something wonderful in Ithaca’s communications program, which means that Ithaca would be a great addition to the college wish list for aspiring communications or journalism majors.
Like many college internships, these NBC Sports positions are unpaid, but considering the amount of behind-the-scenes experience these interns will be getting, I don’t think anyone really cares. Besides, having an NBC credit on their resume before they even graduate will probably pay off more later than getting a small paycheck now.
Good luck to Team USA and those lucky and talented Ithaca College students. We’ll be rooting for all of you!
Another Super Bowl is in the record books, this time it being a 30-17 upset by the underdog New Orleans Saints over the Indianapolis Colts. Can you say WHO DAT?
Granted, New Orleans is a pretty exciting city on any given Sunday, but with the win last night and Mardi Gras just around the corner, we’re thinking that Bourbon Street was the place to be last night…and probably during the wee hours of the morning, too.
No one—unless you are a Colts fan, of course—can really begrudge the Louisianians, either, since there are still many painful memories of Hurricane Katrina. So in honor of the Saints’ one and only trip to the Super Bowl (so far), let’s take a look at some of the colleges and universities that are part of “The Big Easy”:
Tulane University. Founded in 1834, this liberal arts university has enjoyed a legacy of excellence in academics and research. Among the many famous Tulane alumni are politician Newt Gingrich, model Lauren Hutton, and talk show host Jerry Springer.
University of New Orleans. Part of the Louisiana State University system of higher education, UNO is made up of nine different colleges, offering dozens of options in undergraduate and graduate programs. Most students hail from Louisiana, but about 10 percent of students come from other states, attracted by the school’s opportunities, as well as its location just minutes away from the French Quarter.
Dillard University. Dillard is a historically black university that got its start in 1869. The campus boasts a tight-knit community that serves to inspire and challenge; many students go on to graduate school within five years of graduating Dillard. Notable Dillard alumni include early “Saturday Night Live” cast member Garrett Morris, jazz musician Ellis Marsalis, Jr., and current Brown University president Dr. Ruth Simmons.
Loyola University New Orleans. A Catholic university in the Jesuit tradition, Loyola University New Orleans offers more than 60 undergraduate majors and 10 graduate programs. Even if freshmen don’t know what they’d like to major in just yet, chances are something will pique their interest at Loyola University New Orleans.
Our Lady of Holy Cross College. One of the eight Holy Cross colleges in the nation, Our Lady of Holy Cross offers many different academic programs; however, it also enjoys a long tradition as a teaching college, preparing educators for the classroom and school administration.
Xavier University of Louisiana. This school is noted for being the only historically black Catholic university in the country. Catholic values are instilled in the academic programs at the university, though all are welcome to study at Xavier.
Southern University at New Orleans. A part of the Southern University system, SUNO enjoys a diverse campus community, as well as many undergraduate and graduate programs in fields of arts and sciences, business, education, social work, and public administration.
Last night’s premiere of “Lost” was a bittersweet event for fans of the ABC series. Yes, there was plenty of excitement in the air as the show FINALLY returned after a long hiatus, but knowing that this is the final season for the show has got to hurt a bit for those whose Tuesday nights revolve around intriguing characters and crazy plot twists.
So what will “Lost” fans do once the show ends? One can only hope that another show that is half as mind-bendingly addictive takes its place. Sure, there’s plenty of stuff to watch already, but there are some shows out there that are the equivalent of eating an entire pint of ice cream by yourself—good at first, but then you feel really, really bad about yourself later on (cough “Jersey Shore” cough).
For those college-bounders who are waving their hands in the air saying, “Yes! I know what people want to watch!” then perhaps you’ve applied to or are planning on applying to schools with a television production degree program. But if you’re thinking that the only way to make it in the biz is to pack up your stuff and head to Hollywood, think again. There are plenty of options in television production outside of La La Land.
Remember, every state and major city or region has at least one television station to produce the local news. So no matter what state you go to for college, there will be plenty of opportunities for you to hone your skills behind the camera. Consider some of these schools:
Brooklyn College. This school, which offers a major in TV and Radio Production, is part of the esteemed City University of New York (CUNY) system. This means public school tuition for a top-notch education that can really make you go places in the industry. Plus, Manhattan, which is home to major TV networks, is just a subway ride away.
Emerson College. USC and UCLA have met their match with this school situated on the corner of the Boston Common. Rumor had it that the school’s state-of-the-art Visual and Media Arts department has seen some Hollywood bigwigs coming in for a visit to see how it should be done.
Arizona State University. The Film and Media Studies department in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences is a good way to learn TV techniques to be used in the Grand Canyon State and beyond.
University of Central Florida. At this third largest university in the country, chances are you’ll have good company in the radio and television undergraduate program. If you’re a baseball fan, spring training in Florida might be a good chance to learn a few techniques out of the classroom.
Michigan State University. Michigan is known for its colleges and universities, so Michigan State University would be a great place for just about any major. But it just so happens to have a pretty large Communication Arts and Sciences department that has several programs in media studies.
Why stop at five? Because there are so many schools, both large and small, that offer programs in television production. Be sure to consider all of your options when choosing the place where you’ll major in television—LA is awesome, but certainly not the only way to go.
Stay tuned to this blog for more info coming soon about television and media programs.
Remember our cool post about the rapping math teacher? Turns out others are hopping on the music bandwagon when it comes to understanding tough subjects. Here’s another awesome video making its rounds on YouTube.
Shakespeare’s plays can be difficult to understand, even for those who love him (like me.) That’s why I think it’s great when English teachers help their students find a way to relate to the Bard’s works.
Ms. Meredith Szewchuk, a 10th grade English teacher at Toronto’s York Mills Collegiate Institute, is one such teacher who encouraged her students to really connect with Macbeth, Shakespeare’s classic tragedy. And connect they did. The above video was made by Terry He, one of Ms. Szewchuk’s former students. Pretty cool, eh?
Vanguard University (Costa Mesa, California) received one heck of a tip this month when campus lunchroom regular, Bruce Lindsay, left his entire estate to the struggling institution. For the past 70 years, Lindsay had been a fixture of the university, eating three meals a day at the school cafeteria while students and faculty surrounded him to talk and hear his tips on living a frugal life.
Having survived the Great Depression, Lindsay certainly knew what he was talking about and lived by his own advice. Up until his death, he enjoyed free coffees from the bank and free meals from Vanguard University after he was declared a student advocate by a former university president in the 80s.
Now, instead of helping out students by lending a much-needed ear, giving advice, and appealing to campus officials on their behalf, Lindsay’s legacy will be the estate, worth an estimated several million dollars, that he willed Vanguard University. The money will go towards paying off the school’s $42 million debt as long as officials honor Lindsay’s last request: that some of his money be put towards the creation of a new dining hall for Vanguard University.
You might not give retention rates a lot of thought when you’re thumbing through guide books, but for colleges around the country, it’s their bread and butter.
For the past 26 years, ACT, Inc. — yep, the non-profit org responsible for the test by the same name — has been surveying post-secondary institutions to see how many of their freshmen stick around for their second year. While the nationwide retention rate has never been at 100 percent, and probably never will be, the 2007-08 academic year saw a startling two percent drop down to 66 percent.
This may sound alarming at first, but as the ACT points out, the numbers don’t factor in students who chose to take a semester off or those who transferred to another post-secondary institution. Retention rates track how many students stayed at a particular school — which is a good thing to consider when you’re looking at colleges but a poor indicator of the college drop-out rate.
In fact, while many of the private institutions saw a dip in retention rates, two-year public colleges saw a slight increase leading some to speculate that the current economy may influence students to choose less expensive schools that allow them the ability to transfer to traditional four-year colleges after two years, or just settling for a two-year education which usually culminates in the awarding of an associate degree.
There are a variety of different boarding schools out there. From junior boarding schools to college preparatory boarding schools to boarding schools for troubled teens, students and parents will find many different options within the boarding school field of interest. From time to time, CollegeBound spotlights one of these boarding schools to shed light on the variety of possibilities that exist. This week’s boarding school spotlight is on Fay School, which is located in Southborough, Mass.
There’s a lot that Fay has to offer its students, including a rigorous curriculum, course flexibility, a wealth of extracurriculars, and more. Jamie Ramsdell, director of admissions at Fay School, suggests students go see the boarding schools they are considering because each one is very different from the next. You can begin your research on the web, but you must go out there, visit, and ask questions.
Join four girls who are in love with grammar, coffee, and their iPods as they dish on everything you need to know NOW to make the transition from high school to college. It wasn't too long ago that we walked a mile in your excited, eager, and slightly nervous student shoes. Believe us -- it really can be the best four years of your life.
Part of the fun of going away to college is the opportunity to learn all about a new town or city. For many college graduates, even those who have moved away after they finished school, their college town will always hold a special place in their hearts.
All eyes are on Canada these days, particularly Vancouver, where the 
The George Washington University, Washington, DC. When President George Washington died in 1799, his will called for 50 of his shares in the Potomac Company to go towards financing a university in the District of Columbia. An act of Congress in 1821 created Columbian College, which, after changing names a few times, became George Washington University in 1904.
Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Virginia. The struggling Liberty Academy got back on its feet thanks to an endowment by President George Washington worth thousands of dollars in James River Canal stock. The school was renamed in his honor. (Years later, Confederate General Robert E. Lee was president of the college for a brief time beginning in 1865, and so that is why his name was later added as well.)
Lincoln University of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Lincoln University, Pennsylvaia. The school got its start as the Ashmun Institute in 1854 but was named after President Abraham Lincoln in 1866. Lincoln would be very happy to know that this Pennsylvania college has always supported the education of African-Americans and now attracts highly diverse and international students to its campus. Notable Lincoln alumni include Langston Hughes, poet, and Thurgood Marshall, the first African-American U.S. Supreme Court Justice.
James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia. The mission statement of the school is: “We are a community committed to preparing students to be educated and enlightened citizens who lead productive and meaningful lives.” Seems like our 4th president would be proud of his namesake.
The 
Another Super Bowl is in the record books, this time it being a 30-17 upset by the underdog New Orleans Saints over the Indianapolis Colts. Can you say 
Last night’s premiere of
Remember, every state and major city or region has at least one television station to produce the local news. So no matter what state you go to for college, there will be plenty of opportunities for you to hone your skills behind the camera. Consider some of these schools:
Having survived the Great Depression, Lindsay certainly knew what he was talking about and lived by his own advice. Up until his death, he enjoyed free coffees from the bank and free meals from Vanguard University after he was declared a student advocate by a former university president in the 80s.
You might not give retention rates a lot of thought when you’re thumbing through guide books, but for colleges around the country, it’s their bread and butter.
There are a variety of different boarding schools out there. From junior boarding schools to college preparatory boarding schools to boarding schools for troubled teens, students and parents will find many different options within the boarding school field of interest. From time to time, CollegeBound spotlights one of these boarding schools to shed light on the variety of possibilities that exist. This week’s boarding school spotlight is on Fay School, which is located in Southborough, Mass.