The Wabash College faculty was named the Most Accessible and Approachable nationally in rankings released by liberalartscolleges.com.
The website compiled the list from responses from its annual Liberal Arts Colleges Student Survey, a study that included responses from more than 2,700 current liberal arts students across the country.
As liberalartscolleges.com stated in introducing the rankings, “without a doubt, great professors lead to a better experience for students.” The Wabash faculty topped the list of 20 and was joined in the top-five places by Colby College, Pitzer College, Washington and Lee University, and the University of the South (Sewanee).
“This recognition comes as no surprise,” said Scott E. Feller, Dean of the College and Professor of Chemistry. “It is completely consistent with the reports that I receive from students of their interactions with faculty in the classroom, in individual conferences, and at the many events that our campus community engages. Wabash is a student-centered institution and the faculty reflect that.”
Undoubtedly, the ran
kings show that Wabash students feel strongly for their professors, largely due to conversations that occur in any campus setting.
“Wabash professors have had a profound impact on my education, both through interactions inside and outside of the classroom,” said Patrick Bryant ‘16. “Wabash is, in my opinion, the poster child for liberal arts colleges when it comes to having an enthusiastic and engaged faculty. I owe my professors a great deal.”
Zach Greene ’16 felt strongly about the faculty’s open-door policy and the closeness of the Wabash community. “I could walk across the Mall and have a conversation with any of my professors, regardless of what my major is or what I’m studying at the moment,” he said. “I’m a political science major and I could go talk to a biology professor, whether it’s about class, life, or anything. It’s part of the experience here at Wabash. We’re a tight-knit community and you get used to those interactions.”
Wabash also fared well in other liberalartscolleges.com ranking categories, including student satisfaction (sixth), academic challenge (12th), and student housing (17th).