wfn.org | [PCUSANEWS] Worth the cost

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Note #8480 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

04411
September 20, 2004

Worth the cost

Presbyterian Panel poll finds strong support for PC(USA) colleges

by Jerry L. Van Marter

LOUISVILLE - More than 90 percent of Presbyterians are aware that there are a
number of PC(USA)-related colleges and universities in the United States, but
very few know that there are 66 of them, according to a recent Presbyterian
Panel poll.
	Panelists - segmented into "members," "elders," "pastors" and
"specialized clergy" by the Research Services office, which conducted the
poll - either strongly agree or agree that "Presbyterian colleges and
universities provide some of the best education available in the U.S."
	Of those panelists who attended a PC(USA)-related school, 79 percent
of members and 92 percent of pastors rated the education they received
"excellent" or "very good."
So half of church members and more than two-thirds of Presbyterian ministers
believe the benefits of PC(USA)-related colleges and universities are worth
the cost.
	Those panelists who reported an opinion specifically ranked
church-related schools higher than public colleges in meeting students'
spiritual and emotional needs, nurturing moral and ethical values, retaining
students and graduating them in four years, and providing help for students
inside and outside the classroom.
	More ministers and laypersons agree than disagree that Presbyterian
colleges "don't emphasize their church ties as much as they should." More
also believe that church schools should give priority in admissions to
Presbyterian students and that the denomination should give greater financial
support to PC(USA) colleges and universities.
	Most panelists believe that congregations (members, 76 percent;
pastors, 67 percent) and the schools themselves (74 percent; 75 percent) are
the primary Presbyterian entities responsible for promoting the schools.
	But only 18 percent of members, 24 percent of elders and 54 percent
of pastors say their congregation "has taken steps to promote one or more
Presbyterian colleges and universities among high school students in the
congregation."
	Only 10 percent of members and 30 percent of ministers responding to
the February 2004 Panel attended a PC(USA) college or university. More than a
third of the members and two-thirds of the ministers said their college
influenced their career choice.
	Majorities in every sample said that PC(USA) schools "should do more
to help students grow in their own spirituality." Just under half, however,
agreed that the schools "should do more to teach students about Christian
faith."

Presbyterian Church (USA)-related colleges and universities

Agnes Scott College, Decatur, GA
Albertson College of Idaho, Caldwell, ID
Alma College, Alma, MI
Arcadia College, Glenside, PA
Austin College, Sherman, TX
Barber-Scotia College, Concord, NC
Belhaven College, Jackson, MS
Blackburn College, Carlinville, IL
Bloomfield College, Bloomfield, NJ
Buena Vista University, Storm Lake, IA
Carroll College, Waukesha, WI
Centre College, Danville, KY
Coe College, Cedar Rapids, IA
Cook College and Theological
School, Tempe, AZ
Davidson College, Davidson, NC
Davis & Elkins College, Elkins, WV
University of Dubuque, Dubuque, IA
Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, FL
Grove City College, Grove City, PA
Hampden-Sydney College, Hampden-Sydney, VA
Hanover College, Hanover, IN
Hastings College, Hastings, NE
Illinois College, Jacksonville, IL
Inter-American University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR
Jamestown College, Jamestown, ND
Johnson C. Smith University, Charlotte, NC
King College, Bristol, TN
Knoxville College, Knoxville, TN
Lafayette College, Easton, PA
Lake Forest College, Lake Forest, IL
Lees-McRae College, Banner Elk, NC
Lindenwood University, Lindenwood, MO
Lyon College, Batesville, AR
Macalester College, St. Paul, MN
Mary Baldwin College, Staunton, VA
Mary Holmes College, West Point, MS
Maryville College, Maryville, TN
Millikin University, Decatur, IL
Missouri Valley College, Marshall, MO
Monmouth College, Monmouth, IL
Montreat College, Montreat, NC
Muskingum College, New Concord, OH
College of the Ozarks, Pt. Lookout, MO
University of the Ozarks, Clarksville, AR
Peace College, Raleigh, NC
Pikeville College, Pikeville, KY
Presbyterian College, Clinton, SC
Queens University of Charlotte, Charlotte, NC
Rhodes College, Memphis, TN
Rocky Mountain College, Billings, MT
St. Andrews Presbyterian College, Laurinburg, NC
Schreiner University, Kerrville, TX
Sheldon Jackson College, Sitka, AK
Sterling College, Sterling, KS
Stillman College, Tuscaloosa, AL
Trinity University, San Antonio, TX
University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK
Tusculum College, Greeneville, TN
Warren Wilson College, Asheville, NC
Waynesburg College, Waynesburg, PA
Westminster College, Fulton, MO
Westminster College, New Wilmington, PA
Westminster College, Salt Lake City, UT
Whitworth College, Spokane, WA
Wilson College, Chambersburg, PA
College of Wooster, Wooster, OH

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