Georgia Southern University Ranked Fourth in the Nation for Graduating African-Americans Majoring in the Physical Sciences by Diverse: Issues in Higher Education

February 1, 2012

Georgia Southern University has been ranked fourth in the nation for graduating African-Americans majoring in the physical sciences by Diverse: Issues in Higher Education. The physical sciences are chemistry, physics and geology.

“This recognition by Diverse: Issues in Higher Education is the result of the hard work of our students, faculty and staff,” said Bret Danilowicz, Ph.D., dean of the Allen E. Paulson College of Science and Technology. “It is an honor to be recognized as a leader in educating students who will make significant contributions to their fields once they leave Georgia Southern University.”

The physical sciences often lend themselves to research efforts by students as early as their freshman year. Danilowicz says the opportunity to do research, combined with minority faculty members in key roles, add to the success rate of African-American students.

“Our students don’t want to wait until graduate school for the opportunity to do practical research that will enhance their education,” said Danilowicz. “Our commitment to undergraduate research helps us attract top students and we have found that early research opportunities help us to retain those students. We have increased the diversity of our faculty members, who serve as role-models and mentors to our students, and we have minority-focused student organizations that add to our support structure.”

The University ranked in the top twenty for graduating African-Americans enrolled in four other major areas of study: engineering technologies and engineering-related fields, marketing, parks and leisure services, and family and consumer sciences.