Colleges and universities are ranked these days according to every characteristic under the sun. Which are the best and most affordable? Which ones accept the most transfer credits and have the highest graduation rates? I recently read an article that ranked the most beautiful campuses in America.

The “campus beauty” list inspired me to consider the characteristics that make Neumann special. Of course, I think our campus is attractive and welcoming, but that’s not the point of the college experience, is it?

In fact, from the moment that young women and men set foot on campus, our faculty and staff are creating opportunities for them to go beyond our idyllic 133 acres. We want them to test their dreams and goals with internships, clinical rotations, student teaching, community service, and study abroad.

"We encourage students to leave their comfort zones, interact with adults, and explore career paths."

The combination of Franciscan values and the Franciscan intellectual tradition (learn by doing) is what makes Neumann unique.

In this issue of Accent, you will discover the ways in which we put that learn-bydoing philosophy into practice — from our new forensics lab and traditional clinical experiences to project-based humanities classes and global engagement. We encourage students to leave their comfort zones, interact with adults, and explore career paths.

You will meet Ava Irwin ’24, whose commitment to internships earned her seven job offers before graduation, and Madelyn Tice ’24, who consciously built her resume to combine her interest in human resources with her love of the outdoors.

These are our success stories, and I have yet to see a ranking that captures that magic.

Dr. Chris Everett Domes
President