The Province’s two colleges, both in Upstate New York, have increased their rankings and have been rated as a good value in the recent U.S. News & World Report annual evaluation of schools issue.
Siena College in Loudonville, N.Y., moved up to 114th place on the list of 250 colleges and universities that the magazine ranked. St. Bonaventure University in Allegany, N.Y., was ranked No. 9 on the list of best college values in the North. SBU ranks 29th on the list of northern colleges offering master’s degrees.
The magazine debuted its school ranking issue last week, just as students were returning to campus. Classes began at SBU and Washington Theological Union in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 30, and will begin at Siena on Sept. 7.
Meaning of the Rankings
The magazine called SBU’s scholarships and aid packages “generous,” in calling the university one of the best values in the country.
“U.S. News has once again validated what we’ve always known — that we are much more affordable than people often realize,” said Sr. Margaret Carney, OSF, university president. “Our financial aid people work tirelessly to do everything they can to make a Bonaventure education possible for students.” The average financial aid and scholarship package for an incoming St. Bonaventure freshman is approximately $22,000.
The magazine also boosted Siena’s ranking to No. 114 in the National Liberal Arts Colleges category, up from No. 121 last year. This ranking puts Siena in the first tier ranking.
“While we think rankings are best left for individual students and families to interpret, we’re always glad when people or organizations think we are one of the best colleges in the country,” said Siena College president Kevin Mullen, OFM.
News of the rankings came as students were preparing to return to school and arriving on campus. WTU held a new student orientation on Aug. 27. Its traditional start-of-the-school-year Mass of the Holy Spirit and barbecue dinner are scheduled for Sept. 8.
SBU Day of Service
At St. Bonaventure, roughly 500 freshmen participated in the Olean-area community Day of Service on Aug 28. The university’s First-Year Experience program supports students as they transition to university life and promotes success in academic, social and residential environments.
Students used their elbow grease to spruce up several community sites, including installing steps at the house of a World War II veteran, painting at Cattaraugus Community Action center, washing cars for a Haiti fundraiser, and cleaning a youth center. Other community service sites include Mt. Irenaeus, Pfeiffer Nature Center, Genesis House, SPCA in Cattaraugus County, Canticle Farm and the Allegheny River Valley Trail.
Most of these local partners sponsor and host service internships and service opportunities throughout the year for students, so SBU students often try to give back to the community.
Information about these educational institutions may be found on the Facebook pages of St. Bonaventure, Sienaand WTU.
— Wendy Healy is a freelance writer based in Connecticut who frequently contributes to HNP Today.