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Farmingdale State College has been cited by U.S. News & World Report in two key categories in the just-published annual edition of “Best Colleges and Universities” – the first time Farmingdale has been included in these two nationwide categories. Farmingdale State was also cited as one of the Best Baccalaureate Colleges in the North.
Farmingdale was ranked 10th in racial diversity among baccalaureate colleges in the North with a 0.42 “diversity index,” as calculated by U.S. News. In the methodology used by the publication, the closer an institution is to 1.0, the more racially diverse the campus is. Farmingdale is the leader among SUNY institutions in the category and also the leader among all colleges, public and private, in the Long Island region.
In addition, Farmingdale was ranked 23rd among baccalaureate colleges in the North in freshmen retention rate with a percentage of 74.2. Retention rates for freshman are typically considered a key indicator of student satisfaction. Farmingdale State has improved both its racial diversity and its retention rates under President W. Hubert Keen, who has headed the campus since January 2007.
“We are extremely proud of the progress that Farmingdale State College has made,” said President Keen. “Our students tell us that they feel welcome on the campus, no matter what their ethnic background. By returning for their sophomore year in high numbers, they also tell us they are pleased with the quality education they are receiving. We have made great strides in these areas, and we will strive to make even more.”
The citations by US News are additional examples of the upward trajectory Farmingdale is enjoying. The College’s full-time enrollment has increased 62 percent since 2000 and now is approaching 7,000—making it the largest college of technology in SUNY. Applications have risen 72 percent since 2000, academic programs have been expanded to include Applied Psychology and Applied Economics, and the College will soon break ground on a new Campus Center and a building for the School of Business with $55 million in funding obtained by State Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. and Assemblyman Bob Sweeney.
Farmingdale also is a nationally-recognized leader in energy and alternative energy research. Last month, Farmingdale announced the establishment of a Green Building Institute with a $357,000 federal grant secured by Congressman Steve Israel. |
