Education magazine once again provides documentation of Xavier University of Louisiana's success in a number of academic disciplines. In its annual "Top 100 Undergraduate Degree Producers" issue (June 2009), the magazine shows Xavier once again ranking first in the nation in the number of African American students earning baccalaureate degrees in two areas– the biological and biomedical sciences, as well as the physical sciences. Xavier is comfortably ahead of the pack in both categories: graduating 120 students in the biological and biomedical sciences – nearly 20 percent more than that of second-place Howard University – and another 41 students in the physical sciences – twice that of runner-up Jackson State University. Xavier also places 41st and 44th in awarding undergraduate degrees to African Americans in history and psychology, respectively. The Diverse Issues report is based on a review of the 2007-2008 preliminary data distributed by the U.S. Department of Education, which includes the effect of Hurricane Katrina (e.g. Xavier’s smaller total enrollment). The magazine has reported on degrees conferred since 1992, tracking trends in bachelor degree conferrals to African American and other minority students. The complete report can be viewed at: http://diverseeducation.com/top09/top100listing.html.
New Orleans LA - A special report by Diverse Issues in Higher