August 20, 2009
CONTACT: Beverly Makhani, Communications
Director, WSU Office of Undergraduate Education,
509-335-6679, makhani@wsu.edu
Diane Kelly-Riley, Co-Director, WSU Writing Program,
509-335-1323, dokelly@wsu.edu
Lisa Johnson-Shull, Co-Director, WSU Writing Program,
509-335-7695, lisaj@wsu.edu
WSU Writing Program Again Named to “Best” Ranking by U.S. News & World Report
PULLMAN , Wash.—The Writing Program at Washington State University is listed among the nation’s top in the just-released “America’s Best Colleges 2010” annual rankings by U.S. News & World Report.
The rankings score universities in numerous categories, and the WSU Writing Program appears in the “Academic Programs to Look For” section in the “Writing in the Disciplines” category. “These colleges typically make the writing process a priority at all levels of instruction and across the curriculum,” the USNWR Web sites explains. “Students are encouraged to produce and refine various forms of writing for different audiences in different disciplines.”
Joining WSU on the best writing programs list are 21 others institutions including Stanford, Yale, Harvard, Purdue, and Cornell. Of the 22 listed, WSU is the only Washington school and is one of just four from the West (along with the University of California-Los Angeles, Colorado State University, and Stanford).
“It’s thrilling to be recognized nationally for our program’s quality and its service to students, and it’s an honor to be among such a distinguished set of universities on the listing,” says Diane Kelly-Riley, co-director of the Writing Program.
“Our Writing Program is often used as a model and our staff members are frequently invited to present on aspects of our operation at professional conferences,” adds Lisa Johnson-Shull, co-director. “The Writing Program often receives the attention of academic leaders at other institutions, as well as our own.”
Since the USNWR “programs to watch for” listing began, WSU’s Writing Program has made the “best” list seven out of nine years. According to the USNWR Web site, the schools selected are “outstanding examples of academic programs that are believed to lead to student success.” College presidents, chief academic officers, deans of students, and deans of admissions from more than 1,300 schools nominate up to 10 institutions with “stellar examples” of program types.
The WSU Writing Program began 25 years ago and today provides more than 40,000 contacts yearly with undergraduate and graduate students, as well as faculty and staff. It works with all levels of students, from assessing freshmen through administering the university’s required Writing Portfolio program for juniors. It works with colleges and individuals to help teachers to increasingly assign and grade effective writing in classes and on tests.
The program and its staff are recipients of numerous awards and commendations for excellence and innovation.
Its Web site is at writingprogram.wsu.edu.