134 institutions cited by John Templeton Foundation

Brown University named to Honor Roll for Character-Building Colleges

The John Templeton Foundation has named Brown University to its 1997-98 Honor Roll for Character-Building Colleges, a list of 134 institutions honored for their commitment to developing character and moral values in students.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The John Templeton Foundation has named Brown University to its 1997-98 Honor Roll for Character-Building Colleges. The honor roll, released biennially, recognizes 134 institutions in 39 states and the District of Columbia for their commitment to developing character and moral values in students.

Brown is the only institution representing Rhode Island and, with Yale University, one of two representing the Ivy League. Other colleges and universities selected for the honor roll include Notre Dame, Boston University, Holy Cross, SUNY-Oneonta, the University of Oklahoma, Penn State, Baylor, Southern Methodist and Brigham Young.

The national announcement was made Sept. 24, 1997, in the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington, D.C. Lamar Alexander, former U.S. Secretary of Education, was the keynote speaker at the event, held in the Cannon Caucus Room.

Brown was cited for its early commitment to public service as co-founder and national headquarters of the Campus Compact; for its continuing efforts through the Swearer Center for Public Service; and for its historical mission to form "the rising generation to virtue, knowledge ... [and lives of] usefulness and reputation." The Brown Curriculum, which puts a premium on student involvement and responsibility, was also a factor in Brown's selection by the six judges.

To become an honor roll college or university, institutions submitted a 200-word statement confirming its commitment to character building, and nomination materials addressing five selection criteria:

• how the school inspires students to develop and strengthen their moral reasoning skills;
• how the school encourages spiritual growth and moral values;
• how the school provides community-building experiences;
• how the school advocates a drug-free lifestyle;
• how the school conducts a critical assessment of character-building programs and activities.

The John Templeton Foundation of Radnor, Pa., was established in 1987 by international investment manager Sir John Marks Templeton. It is committed to a broad spectrum of activities, including studies, award programs and publications promoting the character development of young people in secondary schools, colleges and universities. It has sponsored the biennial Honor Roll for Character-Building Colleges since 1989.