In the top 30

I don't know why this seems important to me -- it isn't really. What is more important is how well I do explaining the intricacies of climate science and green energy policy starting next week, or how organized we are at leveraging our latest research funding for wind assessment work into useful work experience for undergraduates.

But we've been working hard at improving this college for a long time now, so it does feel good to get some recognition.

In particular, this particular rating has us scaled highly for serving otherwise underserved students: students from low income and minority backgrounds.

That's very satisfying.

"Unity, Maine – August, 2010 – Unity College has landed in the top 30 of The Washington Monthly 2010 College Rankings, the highest placement on the baccalaureate colleges list of the rankings for a Maine college.

Unity College is the 16th -best baccalaureate college by The Washington Monthly's measurements.

The honor comes on the heels of being named one of the greenest colleges in the United States by the Princeton Review.

“When I reviewed The Washington Monthly approach, I was impressed by their approach—they want to ‘measure how well individual colleges and universities were meeting their public obligations in the areas of research, service, and social mobility,'" noted Amy Knisley, Unity College Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs. “I am very pleased to have attained recognition by these measures, given our commitment to providing an affordable education that prepares students to serve in solving some of the world’s most pressing problems.”

Kay Fiedler, Director of Admissions at Unity College, saw the high national ranking as another step in a growth and maturation process for the College founded by Unity area residents in 1965.

“It is great to see Unity College being recognized as a leader in the environmental movement,” said Fiedler. “It is our mission to prepare a new generation of leaders equipped to address the pressing environmental challenges of our time. We are always seeking bright, engaged young people who have the passion to learn and the academic ability to succeed and this type of recognition helps get the word out there about America’s Environmental College.”

The Washington Monthly rates schools based on their contribution to the public good in three broad categories: Social Mobility, which emphasizes recruiting and graduating low-income students; Research, with a focus on producing cutting-edge scholarship and PhDs; and Service, which emphasizes encouraging students to give something back to their country. The methodology is online at http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/college_guide/feature/a_note_on_methodology_4year_co.php.

Unity College is a small private college in rural Maine that provides dedicated, engaged students with a liberal arts education which emphasizes the environment and natural resources. Unity College graduates are prepared to be environmental stewards, effective leaders, and responsible citizens through active learning experiences within a supportive community."