Christopher Newport University lauded for ‘Best College Value’

Jan. 03--Christopher Newport University has been named a 2017 "Best Value College" by Kiplinger's Personal Finance.

The title was given to 300 colleges --and 100 public colleges -- out of 1,200 evaluated for "embodying exceptional quality and affordability."

CNU is ranked 73rd among public colleges, and 243 among all colleges.

"Kiplinger's recognizes yet again that Christopher Newport University is one of the best colleges in America and one of the best values in public higher education," President Paul Trible said in a news release from the university. "Our university combines the benefits of a private university education that features a talented teaching-first faculty with a price only found at public universities."

The rankings weigh measures of quality -- such as admission rate, student-faculty ratio and four-year graduate rate -- higher than cost. The cost measures include sticker price, financial aid and average debt at graduation.

According to the rankings, CNU's admission rate is 60 percent. There are 15 students per faculty member, and the four-year graduate rate is at 57 percent.

Total in-state cost is $25,208, and out of state comes in at $36,834. Average debt at graduation is $28,968.

The rankings are among several others that CNU has boasted this year. U.S. News & World Report included CNU in its 2017 edition of 381 Best Colleges. Those listings ranked CNU's science labs as 15th best, dorms as second best and students as the eighth most engaged in community service.

The full Kiplinger's rankings can be seen at kiplinger.com/links/colleges.

HU student in Ebony competition

Hampton University senior Nyia Fairley is in the running to become Ebony magazine's HBCU Campus Queen for 2016.

The pharmacy major from Chicago was named Miss Hampton 2016-17 this year during homecoming.

Fairley has launched a project called The Love Your Mirror Project: Embracing Body Diversity and Building the Self-Esteem Among Young Girls Everywhere.

"I was able to reach so many young women on campus and within the Hampton Roads community who deal with depression, insecurity and low self-esteem," Nyia said in her profile on Ebony's website. "It was amazing to see how we all were able to come together as women and express ourselves about the different fears and stigmas we have encountered pertaining to self-image. By being vulnerable and sharing my story of overcoming insecurity and lack of self-acceptance with these ladies a sense of empowerment was built for them to accept who they are and to embrace their own kind of beautiful.

Fairley wrote that her career goals are to become a pharmacist focusing on research on the use of drugs to combat infectious disease and cancer, as well as working on health care teams to advance patient care. Her biggest goal, she said, is to own a pharmaceutical company in hopes of dispensing drugs at affordable rates for those who lack insurance.

To vote for Fairley, visit ebony.com/contestants/nyia-fairley. Three votes can be cast in a 24-hour period until Jan. 15.

Hammond can be reached by phone at 757-247-4951.

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