Julie Ruthenbeck

Angelo State University

Angelo State University ignites the light of learning and life experience. Undergraduate students complete faculty-mentored projects and research experiences. Living Learning Communities connect students with shared courses, study groups, social activities and educational activities, both in and outside the classroom. We also promote community involvement through numerous organizations and outreach programs. We shine with superb records of graduates' acceptance into professional schools. Over 50 percent of our pre-med students are accepted into medical school, well above the statewide average of 35 percent. More than 90 percent of our students who complete the pre-veterinary program, maintain a high GPA and complete the entrance requirements are accepted into veterinary school. All graduates of our Honors Program who have applied to graduate programs or professional schools, including medicine and law, have been accepted. Additionally, since 1998, our students have maintained a 100 percent passing rate on the Texas Examination of Educator Standards (TExES) teacher certification test for secondary mathematics. Because of strong academics and a substantial gift aid program, including the Carr Academic Scholarship Program, which annually awards scholarships totaling approximately $4 million, we are one of the top educational values in Texas. About 73 percent of our students receive gift aid, financial support that does not have to be repaid to the university. We also encourage healthy student lifestyles while fostering leadership development through 100-plus student organizations, a thriving intramurals program, and modern recreation and fitness facilities. Generous alumni and donors have given of their resources to make sure we offer leadership programs and some of the best facilities for study and athletics as a regional college. Our new health and human services building and Hunter Strain Engineering Lab are fine examples.