Penn State was recently ranked No. 64 on a list of the top 100 universities in the world released by the Center for World University Rankings.
According to the center’s website, the rankings take into account seven different indicators, which include quality of faculty, quality of research and alumni success.
Penn State spokeswoman Jill Shockey said that the university is definitely well known around the world for academics and research.
“We have first-rate faculty,” Shockey said. “We have very accomplished students, and very accomplished alumni.”
The list also ranked Penn State No. 45 out of the 58 United States universities on the list. The university was also ranked No. 27 in the world for citations and No. 38 for publications.
Janet Haner, manager of communications and programming for Penn State Global Programs, said she was not surprised that Penn State made the list, since she said the school led the nation with 14 Fulbright scholars in the 2011-12 school year.
The same year, Harvard University, which topped the Center for World University Rankings’ list at No. 1, sent four Fulbright scholars, according to the Fulbright Scholar Program website.
“We certainly focus on our triple mission of research, teaching and service,” Haner said. “In terms of research, we’re constantly trying to be among the best and foster global relationships with other universities around the world.”
Haner also added that being ranked as a top university in the world will make Penn State more attractive to the “best and brightest” international students.
“Having international students on campus brings so much in terms of what other students can gain from their perspective in terms of having them in class and learning that there are more ways to do things than just the American way,” Haner said.
Madeline Harney (freshman-engineering) said she was proud to go to a top university.
“I feel like it wouldn’t be this big for no reason,” Harney said, adding that she felt the university has extra incentive to distinguish itself since “this is all there is out here in Central Pennsylvania.”
Shockey said that the tradition of academic excellence at Penn State will continue.
“I’m certain that our faculty will continue to do world-class research,” Shockey said. “Our students will continue to excel in and outside the classroom, and I’m certain that the academic and research reputation of Penn State will speak for itself.”
