Mercer Sets New School Record in Graduation Success
11/18/2016 10:36:00 AM | General
INDIANAPOLIS – Mercer University's athletics department was once again recognized for its academic excellence when the NCAA released its annual Graduation Success Rate (GSR) for all of its member institutions. Overall Mercer student-athletes graduated at a school record rate of 91 percent, one of the best marks in the Southern Conference.
In all, Mercer recorded six programs with a perfect 100 GSR and the overall GSR rate of 91 is the best mark in school history and ranks third in the Southern Conference behind Samford (98) and Wofford (96). The Bears have raised their GSR score by 15 points over the last 10 years with 13 of that 15-point rise coming during the tenure of Mercer athletics director Jim Cole.
This year Mercer witnessed gains in its GSR in four sports while eight sports remained steady from one year ago.
"All of the credit on this goes to the great group of student-athletes we have here at Mercer University," deputy athletics director and Senior Woman Administrator Sybil Blalock said. "They have done a wonderful job of achieving their academic goals. The GSR shows their commitment to Mercer and to achieving their academic goals."
All of Mercer's sports that registered a perfect 100 percent mark – men's tennis, women's basketball, women's golf, women's soccer, softball and women's tennis – maintained their perfect score for the third consecutive year.
"I am proud of the tireless efforts our student-athletes put in to excel both on the field and in the classroom," Cole said. "It is a testament to not only the quality student-athletes that Mercer produces but the great coaching staffs here that support and foster both academic and athletic excellence. Sybil Blalock, who oversees our academic affairs unit, has done a tremendous job giving our coaches, support staff and student-athletes the tools required for this level of success."
Overall, 11 of Mercer's 13 programs either met or exceeded the national GSR rate including all six Mercer programs that posted a perfect 100 GSR mark.
Each year, the NCAA publicly announces the GSR of all Division I institutions. This year's numbers reflect an average for students who entered college from 2006-09. The graduation-rate data is based on a six-year cohort prescribed by the U.S. Department of Education. The NCAA developed the Division I GSR in response to college and university presidents who wanted graduation data that more accurately reflect the mobility among all college students today.
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In all, Mercer recorded six programs with a perfect 100 GSR and the overall GSR rate of 91 is the best mark in school history and ranks third in the Southern Conference behind Samford (98) and Wofford (96). The Bears have raised their GSR score by 15 points over the last 10 years with 13 of that 15-point rise coming during the tenure of Mercer athletics director Jim Cole.
This year Mercer witnessed gains in its GSR in four sports while eight sports remained steady from one year ago.
"All of the credit on this goes to the great group of student-athletes we have here at Mercer University," deputy athletics director and Senior Woman Administrator Sybil Blalock said. "They have done a wonderful job of achieving their academic goals. The GSR shows their commitment to Mercer and to achieving their academic goals."
All of Mercer's sports that registered a perfect 100 percent mark – men's tennis, women's basketball, women's golf, women's soccer, softball and women's tennis – maintained their perfect score for the third consecutive year.
"I am proud of the tireless efforts our student-athletes put in to excel both on the field and in the classroom," Cole said. "It is a testament to not only the quality student-athletes that Mercer produces but the great coaching staffs here that support and foster both academic and athletic excellence. Sybil Blalock, who oversees our academic affairs unit, has done a tremendous job giving our coaches, support staff and student-athletes the tools required for this level of success."
Overall, 11 of Mercer's 13 programs either met or exceeded the national GSR rate including all six Mercer programs that posted a perfect 100 GSR mark.
Each year, the NCAA publicly announces the GSR of all Division I institutions. This year's numbers reflect an average for students who entered college from 2006-09. The graduation-rate data is based on a six-year cohort prescribed by the U.S. Department of Education. The NCAA developed the Division I GSR in response to college and university presidents who wanted graduation data that more accurately reflect the mobility among all college students today.
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