Adrian Michigan Offers Three Diverse Choices For Higher Education

Three Choices For Higher Learning In Adrian Michigan

As of 2008 there are three colleges and/or universities located in Adrian Michigan and they are: “Adrian College, Sienna Heights University and Jackson Community College.” As diverse as the community of Adrian each school offers a different kind of college experience but all three schools have quality in common. All three schools are nationally accredited and college students literally rule the town (or at least the population count)! In a small town of 23,000 people over 11, 280 of them are full or part time college students. So, it’s quite literally a “college town” and much of the city’s real estate development, cultural events, and festivals all revolve around students. It is also a safe and low crime community in which to spend your post-secondary educational years. As a bonus it is centrally located next to much larger cities too. Detroit is 90 minutes away and Ann Arbor, MI and Toledo, OH are both 45 minutes by car. So, now it’s time to briefly meet the colleges and see what they have to offer at a glance but please check out their websites too for more information.

For the sake of “seniority” let us begin with “Adrian College” which opened its doors way back in 1845. It is a private and coeducational liberal arts institution affiliated with the “United Methodist Church.” As of 2008 there are 1300 students with the new frosh intakes drastically increasing in number since the arrival of the 17th president of the college “Jeff Docking.” He continues to attract new students with his “Renaissance Plan” emphasizing a more experimental way of learning based on “doing” and by making expansions to the Study Abroad Programs, Career Planning and a new Dance and Cheerleading Team and expansions to the campus itself. There is a new “Multi-Sport Stadium,” an Ice Rink, a bigger dining hall and an s24 student center packed with amenities like a full service hair and nail salon, and “BOD PODS” which measure your body composition in ratio to body fat to help keep students fit.

Students benefit academically from small class size and individualized attention from professors who mainly hold the highest degrees in their particular fields, and from having over 40 majors to choose from. There are 22 varsity sports teams and their football team “The Bulldogs” have been featured nationally in all matter of media. There are 60 clubs and organizations including two fraternities and two sororities. The college features 21 school buildings on over 100 acres of land. The school only offers undergraduate degrees and 95% of Adrian College students are enrolled full time. It is moderately difficult to get into the school with a requirement of a 3.1 GPA for incoming freshman and 84% applicant acceptance rate. The tuition is currently $26, 680 including room and board and it ranks #15 on the top Midwest Baccalaureate Colleges List from “US News” for 2008.

“Sienna Heights University” (named for St. Catherine Of Sienna) was founded in 1896 by the “Adrian Dominican Order of Sisters” and is affiliated with the “Catholic Church”. It is the second oldest and second largest institute of higher learning and can boast a student population of 1,886 Undergrad and 1,872 enrolled in their Master’s programs. They are known for pioneering programs for adult students to adapt to the changing needs of the area with increased night and weekend classes and with opening “satellite degree completion centers” in Southfield, Boonton Harbor, Port Huron, Annhelm and Ann Arbor, Michigan. They also live by a liberal non-discrimination policy that tends to appeal to students of all faiths and backgrounds.

There are 22 intramural sports teams at Sienna Heights, and their “Saints” NAIA basketball team plays nationally and competes in the Wolverine Hoosier Athletic Conference. There 35 clubs and organization and their Greek life includes two sororities and two fraternities The college president is Sister Peg Albert and it is very academically competitive to get into her school. Only 64% of all applicants are accepted as freshman and one should have a 3.3GPA to apply. The tuition is $21,955 and 85% of students are from Michigan and 15% are out of state students. The University also sits on a very well groomed 140 acres of land.

The newest addition to the college landscape is “Jackson Community College” which opened in 1928, to accommodate the need for local residents to find affordable post secondary solutions. It is also the first junior college in Michigan to offer dormitory housing. There are 6,222 students (67% are enrolled part time) and 48 degree programs. The college owns over 500 acres and offers tuition as low as $82 per contact hour and classes usually run between one to five contact hours per semester. There are six intramural sports teams and over 40 clubs and organizations. “JCC” teaches over 10,000 students each year and five types of associate degree programs are offered with classes geared to more specific career choices then usually offered in traditional BA and MA programs. They are also associated with Lenawee Vo-Tech program, satellite campuses in surrounding cities, and have students that attend classes online.