Let's raise the bar

Black Enterprise, Jan, 2009 by Richard Pierce

I was appalled that your ranking of the Top 50 Colleges for African Americans (September 2008) included schools with a [black] graduation rate under 60%, presumably a failing score. While your consultant considered the academic and social environment of each school, those factors pale in comparison to the purpose of attending college--to graduate. Does it matter if the academic and social environment is exemplary if you do not take a diploma with you upon departure? Students should leave a university with a degree, not just memories of a good time and a loan repayment schedule.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

As a longtime supporter of historically black colleges and universities, I was saddened to learn that it was only those schools among the Top 50 that posted such abysmal graduation rates. If the graduation rate is below 60%, then BLACK ENTERPRISE does a disservice to black families by including such schools in any Top 50 ranking.

I doubt that we would tolerate such dismal graduation rates at non-HBCUs. We would rightfully challenge those schools to do a better job of educating our children. We should do the same in this case. I begin by challenging the inclusion of any school in a gathering of elite institutions when their graduation numbers do not warrant such placement.

Richard Pierce, Ph.D.

South Bend, IN

rpierce@nd.edu