Calumet College of St. Joseph ranked most diverse in Midwest

Diverse Issues in Higher Education, Dec 1, 2005

WHITING, IND.

Calumet College of St. Joseph was ranked by U.S. News and World Report as the most diverse college in the Midwest since 2000.

The magazine compared the college this year to nearly 100 public and private institutions throughout the Midwest. It again received the distinction of being first in diversity among all comprehensive colleges in the Midwest that grant bachelor's degrees.

The formula used by the national magazine factored in the total proportion of minority students, not including international students and the mix of racial and ethnic groups.

The groups included in the calculations are Blacks who are not Hispanic, Whites who are not Hispanic, Hispanics, American Indians, Alaskan Natives, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

This year's ranking was based on data from the school's 2004-2005 student body. Calumet College's enrollment figures for that period showed 28.5 percent of students were Black, 19.5 percent were Hispanic and 50.9 percent were White.

"The diversity ranking is important to us because we are a college that strives to meet the needs of the community we serve," said Dr. Dennis C. Rittenmeyer, president of Calumet College, in a press release.

The private, Catholic college, based in the northwestern Indiana city of Whiting, is sponsored by the Cincinnati Province of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood.

Rittenmeyer says the school's mission to empower people to improve their lives through education.

We know that minorities are among the most economically and educationally disadvantaged in our community and in the U.S.," he says.

Having a diverse campus allows students and faculty to learn firsthand about different ethnicities, backgrounds and religions, says Brother Jerry Schwieterman, director of campus ministry.

Sister Michele Dvorak, vice president for academic affairs, says the faculty does a good job creating an accepting culture where people of different ethnicities, economic backgrounds and personal situations can feel comfortable.

"I just came from a class in which there is a wonderful mix and wonderful diversity and those are future educators," Dvorak says.

--Associated Press