In the article “Newsmax’s Top 100 Evangelical Christian Colleges,” Liberty University takes the number one place, followed by Emory University, St. Olaf College, Biola University, Wheaton College, Macalester College, Regent University, Southern Methodist University, Baylor University, and Texas Christian University.
Newsmax chose its Top 100 from around 600 Christian-affiliated institutions of higher learning. The ranking was based on several factors including the average financial needs met, class size, student-to-faculty ratio, average ACT scores, and student retention rates.
Newsmax refers about Liberty as “one of the fastest-rising universities in American education.” It also mentions the “massive online enrollment of nearly 100,000 students, who augment the 15,000 residential students.” Equally important, it highlights the university’s “recreational facilities and clubs, including a snow flex ski slope and ice center…”
I have to say that as a Liberty student, I was not surprised at all at the news. As a sophomore student, I have already enjoyed most of the things Liberty has to offer and cannot wait for the new buildings and recreational facilities to be open as well.
College is a great and unique experience. Personally, I am very grateful that Liberty University is the place where I am making memories at. Friends made in college, and especially at Liberty, are some of the strongest bonds you will ever make. And there are a lot of awesome things that only college can offer, so everyone makes sure to go to the most perfect and suitable place for those four short years.
When I read the Newsmax’s article, it made me even prouder of the place I go to, and as I said before, I was not surprised to find us at the top of that list. But I found myself giving much importance to that list as if a list defines who we are as a university. I was already proud of calling myself a Liberty student, and now that this list comes up I cannot take it out off my mind. Not that the list itself is a bad thing; the bad thing is putting our security and pride on a list.
So Liberty students, making it to the “Top 100 Evangelical Christian Colleges” is an awesome thing! But next year there’s probably going to be another list and the year after that another list. We, as humans, are competitive by nature, and we want to be in the first place in everything in our lives. Be proud for being in the place God wants you to be because He planned it, not because of it being at the top of some list.
This applies for everything in our lives. Aiming for first place is good, but it is more important to give your best in everything you do every day. Make the most of your life in every second, and don’t waste it because of some silly competition that everyone (including yourself) will forget in a matter of time.