The Wall Street Journal named Harding in the top 10 schools in the U.S. for engagement and the top 10 schools for inspiration, published Sept. 27. College rankings are based on surveys that ask college students across the U.S. about their experience of learning and living at college.
“I want to point out that the inspiration ranking speaks to the environment we have and the exceptional people at Harding. The engagement speaks to the academic environment which shows we stack up well against some pretty high-profile schools,” vice president for university communications and marketing Jana Rucker said. “We are not surprised Harding fared so well, but this result affirms that Harding provides a well-rounded social, spiritual and academic experience that prepares our students for the real world.”
According to The Wall Street Journal, engagement was measured by the breadth of academic options offered by the school and student insights on feeling challenged in the classroom and recommending the school to others.
“I think that Harding’s size really contributes to the high engagement of the students,” senior Anna Pittman said. “Also, as controversial as chapel is, the daily congregation of the student body allows for students to be active in an interdisciplinary way that is not as easily facilitated in other universities. Professors here really care about seeing their students succeed-academically and spiritually. That is something that has inspired me during my time at Harding.”
Harding University was ranked number eight in a list of top schools for engagement and was the only Arkansas school included in this category. Moreover, Harding University was listed as the ninths in the Wall Street Journal’s list of “Students’ Top Schools for Inspiration” behind schools such as Harvard University and Brown University.
“I love how close the teachers and staff are with our students in the Foreign Language department,” Bonnie Kee, accredidation and academic support coordinator said. “Personally, I am able to be involved in the lives of our students and experience camaraderie and communion through our shared Christianity. All of this enables us to engage and inspire each other on a one on one basis. I am proud and glad to see Harding being recognized in this way.”
