August 23, 2005

The Princeton Review has once again named Lyon College a “Best Southeastern College” based on results from its “Best 361 Colleges – 2006” survey. Lyon also received this distinction last year.

The Review’s survey asked students questions about their school’s academics, campus life and student body. This year’s rankings are based on surveys of over 110,000 students at 361 colleges. Lyon’s survey statistics and student comments are available at PrincetonReview.com in the “Best Colleges – Region-by-Region” section. Lyon is one of 140 schools on the site receiving the “Best in the Southeast” designation.

The Review’s website profile of Lyon’s academics says:

“Scottish heritage and a strong academic reputation” are the hallmarks of Lyon College, a small, Presbyterian, liberal  arts school located in small-town Arkansas. Despite its size, Lyon serves up a substantial and well-rounded education through a thorough core curriculum that encompasses composition, arts, social sciences, natural sciences, Western civilization, religion, philosophy, mathematics, and physical education. Observes one undergrad, “Lyon College is about preparing you for all aspects of life, including academics, athletics, spirituality, and social life.” Students, faculty, and administrators form a tight community here. As one undergrad explains, “You will get to know your classmates, you will get to know your teachers, and you will be a person rather than a number.” The community setting provides “a safety net of helpful staff and students to make sure success is probable.” Professors are “amazing people who care passionately about their subjects and genuinely for their students.” They will “work one-on-one with students and strongly encourage them to visit their office for guidance beyond the classroom.” Many attribute the closeness of the campus to Lyon's Honor Code, which “requires honest conduct both academically and socially, and that nearly eliminates cheating and other social problems, such as stealing.”

Regarding Lyon’s student body, the Princeton Review says:

Students praise their peers for their "open minds and high standards of honor and integrity," their "immeasurable determination to learn," and their ability to "get along with each other despite our differences." Most here "are very involved with many organizations outside of the classroom.”

On campus life, The Princeton Review profile says:

With a tiny hometown and no major metropolises nearby, Lyon College has to provide its own fun, and for the most part, the school succeeds. That's no mean feat given the size of the student body, yet undergrads here tell us that “there is always something going on at Lyon. We have six Greek organizations (three fraternities, three sororities) and they always have at least one major party per semester.” In addition, “the Student Activities Committee organizes events and brings in musicians, comedians, magicians, etc.” Students point out that “Little Rock and Memphis are less than two hours away,” too far for regular trips but not too far for the occasional weekend getaway.

The Princeton Review is a New York City-based company known for its test prep courses, education services, and books. It has conducted the survey since 1992, when it first published its annual “Best Colleges” – the only guide offering college rankings based on student ratings of their schools and reports of their experiences at them.