December 5, 2007

I am pleased to announce that the Middle States Commission on Higher Education voted on November 15 to accept Dickinson College's Periodic Review Report. Colleges and universities undergo a rigorous accreditation review every 10 years. The Periodic Review Report is an interim evaluation institutions undertake five years after completing the 10-year accreditation self-study to evaluate continued progress.

Middle States commended the report as "a model of clarity, candor and thoroughness," noting that it addressed earlier recommendations "with both the confidence that arises from an institution that knows its mission and the openness to change that characterizes an institution deeply committed to improvement."

In their conclusion, the reviewers praised Dickinson for the progress of the previous five years:

"Building on a distinguished history, Dickinson has come into its own in recent years. It is clear that the college's leadership is creative, dynamic, and effective, and that there is a bracing sense of shared purpose. The improvements in diversity are significant, and the progress on financial health is extraordinary. The already strong program of global education has become even stronger over the last five years, and collaborative research between students and faculty has blossomed as well. Admissions has improved dramatically, not only in the number of applications and selectivity rates, but also in the academic quality of incoming students. The college has wisely taken steps to institutionalize its many gains and sustain them beyond the current leadership, and it has set itself such crucial new challenges as developing a major initiative in environmental and sustainability studies. ...

"Overall we find Dickinson to be a vibrant and exciting college that has not only improved considerably in recent years but also shows every indication of improving still more in years to come. The college is fully in synch with the standards articulated in Characteristics of Excellence, and seems poised not only to sustain but also to improve its position as one of America's premiere liberal arts colleges."

I know you join me in congratulating Associate Provost Walt Chromiak and everyone who participated in the preparation of this important Periodic Review Report. This affirmation from Middle States articulates so well that which makes us distinctively Dickinson, and it gives us additional inspiration to continue pursuing our highest aspirations with passion and commitment.

Sincerely,

Bill Durden
President