NATIONAL HISPANIC MAGAZINE RECOGNIZES
UH AND LATINO GRADUATES
UH in Top 100 College and Universities to Graduate Hispanic Students
HOUSTON, May 18, 2006—The University of Houston ranks prominently
among colleges and universities for awarding degrees to Hispanics.
That’s according to the latest issue of Hispanic Outlook in
Higher Education magazine, which compiled its Top 100 Colleges for
Hispanics from figures from the National Center for Education Statistics.
“We are pleased to be recognized, alongside other fine institutions
of higher learning, for our commitment to Hispanic students,”
University of Houston Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs
and Provost Donald Foss said. “UH prides itself on a diverse
student body and faculty that reflect the richness of our region.”
Using data from 2005, the most recent statistics available, the
magazine listed the University of Houston as15th in the number of
bachelor’s degrees awarded to Hispanics—833 or 18 percent
of the total graduating class; 55th in the number of master’s
degrees awarded (117); and 14th in the number of doctoral degrees
awarded (21).
In addition, UH College of Optometry ranked second on the list in
the number of Hispanic students it graduates.
"At UHCO we are proud of the diversity in our student body.
In many ways, it reflects Texas and the City of Houston,”
Earl L. Smith, dean of the college, said. “Optometry is a
fantastic career choice and we expect to see the number of Hispanic
optometry students increase in the coming years.”
Other University of Houston colleges and departments also were
ranked in the annual list.
The Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture ranked fourth among
architecture programs in the country graduating Hispanic students.
“We are pleased to have a wonderfully diverse student body
at the College of Architecture,” Dean Joe Mashburn said. “I
am particularly pleased that this is achieved using completely blind
admissions policies. We simply pick the best applicants.”
In addition, Hispanic Outlook magazine ranked the UH College of
Pharmacy 13th and UH business and marketing programs fifth in graduating
Hispanic students.
“We just happen to have a great deal of cultural diversity
in our student population, and that diversity adds a new element
to the learning experience,” Arthur Warga, dean of the UH
Bauer College of Business, said. College of Pharmacy Dean Sunny
E. Ohia concurs, adding that more than a dozen languages are spoken
by pharmacy students.
“Although we’re very proud to be ranked prominently
among pharmacy schools in Texas, attracting and retaining minorities
– including Hispanic students – are part of our ongoing
effort to be of service to our community,” Ohia said.
The spring semester ended with commencement ceremonies of more
than 5,000 new graduates. Of those, more than 1,000 students were
Hispanic.
“It gives us great pleasure to see the University of Houston
included in the 2005 Top 100 list,” Suzanne López-Isa,
managing editor of the magazine, said. “Their efforts for
recruiting and retaining Hispanics are a testimony to their on-going
mission on diversity. We congratulate them for this accomplishment.”
UH is the most ethnically diverse major urban research institution
in the country, according to U.S. News and World Report rankings.
The 35,344 students enrolled in fall 2005 were 38.5 percent white,
18.9 percent Asian/Pacific Islander, 18.5 percent Hispanic, 13.9
percent African American, 7.8 percent International and 0.4 percent
Native American.
For more information on the Top 100 Universities and Colleges,
please visit www.hispanicoutlook.com/top100.htm.
About the University of Houston
The University of Houston, Texas’ premier metropolitan research
and teaching institution, is home to more than 40 research centers
and institutes and sponsors more than 300 partnerships with corporate,
civic and governmental entities. UH, the most diverse research university
in the country, stands at the forefront of education, research and
service with more than 35,000 students.
For more information about UH visit the universitys Newsroom at www.uh.edu/admin/media/newsroom.
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