STAFF ED: Newsweek college rankings reflect UNL’s rising prestige

Newsweek's college rankings for last year put the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in the 17th slot on a list of most desirable large universities.

Harvard topped the list, which also included the University of Pennsylvania at No. 2 and Cornell in third place.

Newsweek's rankings span across a number of fields — urban/suburban/rural schools, most gay-friendly campuses, most diverse colleges — and Nebraska fell into two of the 12 categories. Not surprisingly, UNL was the first-ranked school "stocked with jocks," a reputation hard earned.

UNL is defined, to a large extent, by its athletics, a fact that is only more obvious now as we move into the Big Ten Conference. Newsweek not only picked up on this, but also paid attention to UNL's long and distinguished history and its rising profile among the top large universities in the nation.

We might not yet be in a class with Harvard, which accepts only 8 percent of applicants, as opposed to our 63 percent acceptance rate, but a little recognition is a good thing, and those connected to UNL should take a moment to reflect on this and consider what can be done to increase our distinction.

Good work, UNL. Here's to an even better and brighter future.

opinion@dailynebraskan.com