[PeterParker]

So, after reading various posts concerning LU and the D1A transfers along with the parallel thread at CAAZone that called out LU's academics, I started thinking about other variables and indicators besides entrance requirements/exit rates that also offer soft tangible evidence of quality. Wouldn't a decent measure of validity also be to take it to account the types of schools that LU graduates go onto to earn additional degrees as well as other institutions' graduates that obtain an LU graduate degree. If schools with good academic brand equity are accepting LU grads and also producing grads that earn LU graduate degrees, then it seems that it gives a certain amount of creedence to the validity of an LU degree.

I thought it would be interesting to get a sort of running list of additional schools that are represented (undergraduate and graduate) in the LU alumni pool. Contribute what you know to be fact, whether that is an additional degree/graduate certificate you hold or someone else you know for a fact has additional school degrees/grad. certificates on his/her resume.

I know offhand the following schools are represented:
[approximate academic brand equity/ranking] "(and to make it sports related)"

• George Washington..............[#52 Nationally].....................(Atlantic 10)
  University of Virginia............[Top five Nationally]...............(ACC)
  Holy Cross..........................[#32 Nationally-Liberal Arts]....(Patriot)

[SeoulFlame]

One of my friends that is also an LU Alum has her Doctorate from Harvard and is currently a Prof there.


Havard..........way up there................Ivy League

[FlamingYalieWahoo]

There have been a number of LU students, myself included, who have attended Yale - several were in the Divinity School pursuing Masters degrees. I think one of the more recent Div grads is a student at the London School of Economics. A number of LU students have attended Princeton Theological Seminary - not an official graduate school of Princeton U. but close enough. You will also find a number of students who have attended or are attending the University of Virginia in a variety of programs - religious studies, sociology, law, education, etc. - I'm in the doctoral program in religion.

[TIMSCAR20]

I know of 3 guys that I played ball with or was coached by that went to grad school at UVA. My college girlfriend went to UVA then UT. One of the hoops guys has his doctorate from UVA. Eric Cunningham. He will be at the alumni game tomorrow night. Also Paul Nazigian is close to his doctorate from UVA as well. I know Liberty is a good academic school. Even if I didn't know the people that I went to these other schools.

[FlamingYalieWahoo]

Oh, and to be equitable to William and Mary - I know an LU alum who is a doctoral student there and who has been on the English faculty for several years:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_Wise_Bauer

I also know one LU grad who completed W&M's law program.

[PeterParker]

Perhaps this could be a sticky to keep a running tally...and so as not to call anyone out who wants to remain anonymous, names are optional.

This was the kind of information I was hoping this thread would elicit (the school names.) Due to the religious history of LU and the ubiquitious (sometimes overshadowing) personality of the figure head, these types of alumni don't get as much emphasis as the religious study related alumni.

I like the thing that JMU has going on with their Campaign For Madison on their website, highlighting notable alumni across all disciplines (and notable is not necessarily equal to Millionaires or Missionaries, but the whole gamut...good human interest stories that motivate and attempt to highlight the brand of academic excellence they wish to put forth.)

One caveat, I like this idea as long as LU doesn't solely highlight ministry alumni, conservative political alumni, and includes all types of alumni even if their work isn't outrightly "Christian" in nature.

Highlighting the institutions push to academic excellence as well as the academic and real world achievements of its alumni will go a long way to building brand equity. (I've mentioned it before, but how many people go to catholic institutions but aren't necessarily catholic because they want the academic brand equity of the school.)


Here is the link:

http://www.jmu.edu/bethechange/

[PeterParker]

That's cool to know that a fellow LU alum is at W&M...that is a school on my graduate school radar. On a related note, I noticed that LU was conspicuously absent from her Bio.

[Purple Haize]

Graduate program admissions have a lot to do with who you know, who knows you, and how you do in the interview. LU is no different then any other school in that regard. I know in my case, I got my foot in the door because of a pipeline we had established in a young industry and that pipeline is still benefitting LU students.
As for me, I attended what was (and still is) one of the top 3 SMGT Grad Programs in the country. (UMASS, OU were the others). While the institution usually carries a stigma itself the rumor that they award graduate degrees to those who can read WITHOUT pictures is not entirely accurate!

[FlamingYalieWahoo]

Peter - I wouldn't worry about SWB's name showing up - I mean she is on wikipedia! (and I know she's not the only one but I do agree that keeping names to a minimum is a good thing. ) She still has friends and acquaintances at LU and I think now that she has achieved a degree of noteriety she could safely reveal her LU connections. As to the religious studies folks getting attention - for those of us who have gone on to other schools (whose faculities are not populated by evangelicals) to work in this area - it takes a very special miracle from God to get in because those are the folks with the most hang ups about LU - even the occasional evangelicals/orthodox found on their faculties. Most of those getting attention as Liberty alum are undergrads who became pastors or LBS grads with billion member churches not those of us who have gone on to do more intensive academic work in religion.

On another note, I like JMU 's Campaign For Madison concept as well. The LU alum office used to sponsor an annual award (they may still) called the Eagle Award for a successful alum. They would select about 5 alums and then the other alumni (at least those who received alumni information) would vote for one. The award was presented at a homecoming event. This at least highlighted 5 alums annually who were making a difference. I think if this were re-instituted (if its no longer in existence) with the criteria that Peter mentioned: "One caveat, I like this idea as long as LU doesn't solely highlight ministry alumni, conservative political alumni, and includes all types of alumni even if their work isn't outrightly "Christian" in nature. Highlighting the institutions push to academic excellence as well as the academic and real world achievements of its alumni will go a long way to building brand equity." it would be a good thing. Other evangelical schools have achieved a degree of "brand equity" - Wheaton, Calvin etc. - and so can LU with a little tweaking. I also know that the faculty at LU hold up their successful alums as encouragement and role models for their current students; I think that's why its good to have relationships with former faculty so they know where you've been and what you're doing. Hey, (as a future faculty member myself) that's one of the ways they judge how well they are doing.

And Haizey you are so correct about the admissions process for grad school. To a certain extent it is a crap shoot - you roll the dice and pray but getting and making the most of face time with those who can influence the choosing process makes a world of difference.

[Sly Fox]

I haven't heard about the Eagle Award in a long time. If memory serves me correct they used to award one for each school/college. I remember I used to get nomination requests once upon a time. But that has been a number of years ago.

As for grad schools, they have become cash cows for schools and as a result many have lower some entrance barriers in order to collect the obscenely high tuition. At least thats been my experience down here in Texas. If you have the dough, you are good to go.

[A.G.]

Some grad schools (that shall remain nameless) are moving towards even eliminating the GRE requirement.

[Sly Fox]

Standardized tests have proven very poor indicators of academic success. Its good to see these tests taking a lesser role in the selection process. Professional achievement is fast becoming a greater influence on acceptance most schools down here.

[FlamingYalieWahoo]

Hey Sly, I think you're right about the Eagle award being given to one person from each school but I think that it developed into that. Initially I think only one was awarded. But I like your way better. I think the alum office should re-institute it. As to grad schools taking those who can pay - or open admissions as its usually called - that is becoming more the case for a lot of mid-level (and some upper-level) graduate professional schools - business, education, seminaries, sometimes law - and its even more the case for the doctoral degrees in these programs. It is not so much the case for major law programs, humanities, sciences, and medicine (of course there are probably a few of these that would qualify). The trend is noticeable among business schools, even some of the more reputable schools, starting to offer night, and weekend programs for those who already have "real" jobs. Its not that these programs don't have requirements for admission - being able to read without pictures is , I believe, at the top of the list - nor that the students are capable but they have discovered that they can weed out weaker students after admission.

[Purple Haize]

Some grad schools (that shall remain nameless) are moving towards even eliminating the GRE requirement.

Yes, they are substituting scores from MC, VS, or AMEX