News Article

Gonzaga University is receiving strong recommendations from a new national source that gives the University high marks as one of the top 19 best schools of its kind in the country.

A new book about selecting the right university, written by Richard Dorf and titled “The College Journey,” (2009; Davis Press) praises Gonzaga overall and singles the University out for its character, and its freshman engagement and religious studies programs.

Dorf includes Gonzaga among 18 other schools nationwide in the category of “Nineteen High Value Comprehensive Private Universities.” Gonzaga is in good company on that list with the likes of Notre Dame, Santa Clara, DePaul and Baylor universities, among others. Gonzaga is listed among eight other well-known schools nationwide in the category of “Very Good Colleges with Outstanding Religious Studies Programs,” a list that includes Notre Dame, Santa Clara and Boston universities.

Dorf also proposes a formula for students and their parents to select the perfect school, their personal match for the student to develop their mind, body and spirit. In “The College Journey,” Dorf walks a prospective student down the windy road from high school to college and finally to a career. Dorf discusses the crucial criteria he believes must be considered when a student applies to -- and eventually chooses -- the perfect college.

Dorf is a professor of electrical and computer engineering and a professor of management at the University of California, Davis. In addition, he is a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (IEEE), and a Fellow of the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE).

“This book is dedicated to the premise that there is a ‘best’ college for every prospective college student,” Dorf writes in the book. “It is based on the theory . . . that every capable student should aim to develop his/her five minds: disciplined, synthesizing, creative, respectful, and ethical-spiritual.”

Another major factor that Dorf discusses is a college’s reputation as evidenced by the size of its endowment. Dorf describes the endowment as “a powerful tool to build a college’s facilities and faculty.” On page 114 of “The College Journey,”he lists Gonzaga’s total endowment at $133 million. However, the most current and accurate figure for the University’s endowment is $151.7 million (as of May 31). Gonzaga will be ranked even higher once the University increases its endowment, Dorf said. Gonzaga is preparing for a comprehensive campaign that will focus on increasing its endowment.

For more information about “The College Journey,” please contact Dorf via e-mail.