Alumni Association Home > Minnesota Magazine > Past Issues > 2001 > November-December 2001	Print View

Not a day goes by that I don’t wish all alumni could see what I see every day at the University of Minnesota: students gaining knowledge and finding purpose, researchers making breakthroughs, state-of-the-art buildings renewing campus, colleges refocusing to adapt to an ever-changing world. And, whether it’s to a large group or to a few friends, not a day goes by that I don’t talk about this extraordinary university.

So when a recent report ranked the University of Minnesota as one of the top three public research universities in the United States, I stood up and shouted, "Hallelujah!" And now you can believe I’m going to redouble my efforts to spread the the word about this university’s incredible accomplishment.

In The Top American Research Universities, a report published in August by the University of Florida, only the University of California–Berkeley and the University of Michigan ranked higher than the University of Minnesota in a comparison of public institutions. In the ranking of private schools, the leaders included Cornell, Harvard, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford, the University of Pennsylvania, Columbia, Johns Hopkins, and Duke.

We are indeed in very good company.

In higher education, few other occasions compare with reaching a top-tier ranking, which requires dedicated efforts, tremendous talent, and a clear vision for success. This unbiased, third-party endorsement puts the University in a powerful position among its competitors, because using national rankings to measure the quality of major universities is a growing trend. Competition to recruit and retain top-notch faculty and students has become fierce, and the advantage goes to institutions with top talent, a commitment of resources, and a solid reputation—to institutions like the University of Minnesota. The report also reinforces what many of us have known for some time: that the U is on the right track and leading the pack.

How did we reach such unprecedented heights? To begin with, the University of Minnesota thrives under the leadership of President Mark Yudof. When he arrived four years ago, he said he believed the University could be ranked as one of the top five institutions in the United States. In just a few years, the vision he described so clearly has become reality. And the strength of our efforts to garner federal research dollars, along with private support, positioned us well for this honor.

It’s also satisfying to know that this report looked at our institution broadly, considering nine key categories, not a limited number of academic areas. The University ranked high in eight of those areas: total research expenditures, number of faculty in the national academies, federally sponsored research expenditures, number of significant faculty awards, number of doctoral degrees awarded, number of postdoctoral appointments, endowment size, and amount of annual private contributions. (The one area in which the University did not land in the top 25 was in median SAT scores. However, our ranking in this sector testifies to the U’s commitment to access.)

Many people are responsible for reaching this pinnacle: the alumni and friends who faithfully support capital campaigns; the talented faculty who teach, apply for grants, and conduct research that creates jobs in our state and changes our lives; the Board of Regents, which provides vision and support; and the students who work hard, earn degrees, and become contributing members of our community.

For as long as I’ve been managing the University’s alumni relations efforts, we’ve chased this esteemed status. Now that we’ve received national distinction, it’s time to spread the good news. Nothing is more powerful than word-of-mouth communication, that’s where we need your help.

As permanent shareholders of the University of Minnesota, we alumni have now earned the right to talk about the University at every family function, social gathering, and business event. There is no need to boast; just share with family, friends, and acquaintances the simple facts:

1. The University of Minnesota is now considered among the top three public research universities in the nation. To put that into perspective, consider that more than 4,700 institutions across the United States offer some form of postsecondary education.

2. The University’s federally sponsored research awards total almost $500 million—an increase of nearly $150 million from just three years ago.

3. The University’s progress toward its capital campaign goal of $1.3 billion helped solidify our national ranking. More important, however, those campaign funds further our capacity to build a world-class institution for generations to come.

For these reasons and more, the significance of this recent recognition cannot be overstated. So let’s savor the moment, share our enthusiasm with others, and spread the word. Announce with pride that your alma mater is considered a top-three public research university. Your vocal support will help us remain a preeminent institution well into the future.