Longwood again climbs in the U.S. News rankings

As Longwood parents, you’re already aware of the quality of Longwood’s academic programs and overall college experience.

And it may make you proud—and give you bragging rights—to hear that Longwood has again climbed in annual rankings used by millions of families to make decisions about higher education.

This year, Longwood has moved to No. 6 among all regional public universities in the South, making it the 10th-straight year that Longwood is a top-10 public university in that category, according to the annual U.S. News & World Report rankings out yesterday, Sept. 24.

For the last decade, Longwood has consistently found its place among the best regional academic institutions in the South, which are defined as offering undergraduate and master’s programs, but few doctoral programs. This year, in that category, Longwood climbed two spots, to No. 6, among public universities and climbed six spots, to No. 15, among all universities, both public and private.

Longwood also stayed in the top-tier of universities on the annual U.S. News Best Value in the South list, climbing 17 spots over the past four years and this year, for the first time, claiming the honor of being the top-ranked public university in Virginia on that list.

Longwood’s nursing program, which was named the Best BSN Program in the Southeast for 2022 by NursingProcess.org, moved up more than 100 spots on the nationwide U.S. News list, bolstered by its near-perfect pass rate on nursing licensure exams over the past seven years. Longwood’s psychology and undergraduate business programs are also highlighted on nationwide lists.

You can read the full story about how and why, we think, Longwood fared so well in this year’s U.S. News & World Report rankings here.

—Sabrina Brown

The Fall in Photos: Your Student Has Dived Right In

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It’s been less than a month since the final phase of move-in, and your students have wasted no time settling in, experiencing some of Longwood’s signature traditions and diving into their classes.

Most recently, the Class of 2025 began the celebration of their final year with Convocation on Sept. 12 in the Joan Perry Brock Center. (This event is open to parents in case any of you wants to start planning to attend when it’s your senior’s turn.) The tradition involves friends or family decorating mortarboards to the nines—and often sky-high—with items reflecting the student’s Longwood experiences and their favorite things. You can read more about this year’s Convocation here: https://www.longwood.edu/news/2024/convocation-2024/

I hope you enjoy this early fall photo album and video. You might even catch a glimpse of your student living their best college life.

Coming Soon: Posts about fall break and on-campus delivery of packages and purchases from local merchants.

Convocation

Convocation Video

Voter Registration

Pep Rally and The G.A.M.E.

First Day of Classes

New Lancer Days

Honors College Leadership Retreat

Honor and Integrity Ceremony

Move-in

—Sabrina Brown

 

Family Weekend Sept. 13-14: Check In, Chill Out, Have Fun

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It may seem as if you just settled your student in at Longwood—or it may seem as if it’s been forever since you’ve seen them. Either way, by the time the weekend of Sept. 13-14 rolls around, you may be ready to touch base, see how they’re doing and get a hug.

And you can tell your student you have a perfectly good reason for coming back to Longwood on this particular weekend: It’s Family Weekend!

Family Weekend starts the evening of Friday, Sept. 13, and continues through Saturday, Sept. 14, offering a mix of structured activities, free time to just hang out with your student and Farmville’s annual Heart of Virginia Festival.

Click here for all the details of Family Weekend and register to attend. All activities except the pottery class (see below) are included in registration: $25 per person. (Registration is free for children 5 and under and Longwood students.)

Registration deadline is Monday, Sept. 9, 2024.

Time for a hug from your student? Come to Family Weekend!

FRIDAY, SEPT. 13, HIGHLIGHTS

Starting off the weekend is a 6-8 p.m. reception where you’ll have the chance to chat with members of the President’s Executive Council and Longwood’s academic deans. This is a great chance to get insight into your student’s academic program.

Following the reception is game night, where you can test your skills and win prizes.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 14, HIGHLIGHTS

Saturday starts with a continental breakfast from 9-11:30 a.m., where coffee, pastries and other breakfast fare come with a side of live music and information about programs and opportunities for parents to get involved in the Longwood community.

In the afternoon, you can be entertained by a student music showcase, take a pottery class with ceramics professor Adam Paulek (additional fee of $40, which includes shipping your finished creation) and talk with members of Longwood’s student organizations.

Saturday evening features an 8 p.m. performance by magician, mentalist and hypnotist Savio Joseph, a world-class entertainer who has amazed audiences across the globe with his talent and charisma. His dedication to his craft have earned him recognition and acclaim on the international stage, including features in prestigious outlets such as Maclean’s magazine and the opportunity to perform for top corporations and A-list celebrities. Savio also made history as the only magician to reach the finals of Canada’s Got Talent. Parents and families who aren’t registered for Family Weekend but would like to attend only this event can purchase tickets at the door for $5 each.

HEART OF VIRGINIA FESTIVAL

The Heart of Virginia Festival—with its live music, children’s activities, fair food and crafts by local artisans—will be happening from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday during this year’s Family Weekend, set for Sept. 13-14.

From 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday, check out the Heart of Virginia Festival, which literally starts in Longwood’s front yard on High Street and spills into downtown. The festival will be filling the air with the sounds of local musicians, the aromas of fair food and the colorful sights of local artisans’ creations. And there are lots of free activities for kids, too.

JOIN US!

In addition to giving you a chance to check in with your student and meet other parents, Family Weekend promises to be a great time for everyone in the family. We hope to see you Sept. 13-14!
Register Now

—Sabrina Brown