Presents witty and wise quotes from the commencement speeches of 13 black speakers, including Toni Morrison, Floyd H. Flake, Rod Paige, Bill Cosby, Bryant Gumbel, and Wynton Marsalis. (SM)

In the U.S., fewer than two out of five black college students graduate, while three out of five white students eventually graduate. At many historically black colleges and universities, black student graduation rates are even lower than the national average. There is wide disparity in black student graduation rates at academically selective…

Compares black-white performances in educational attainment among adults who reside in the 15 most populous U.S. cities or metropolitan areas, focusing on: the best-performing cities for African American high school completions; racial differences in African American college completions in the nation's largest cities; cities with high percentages…

Presents a statistical record of the progress of African Americans in U.S. higher education institutions, focusing on the black-white higher education equality index; statistics that measure the state of racial inequality; the superior graduation rates of black scholarship athletes; and whether the college athletic powerhouses are ignoring the…

Ranks leading liberal arts colleges in the United States according to their relative success in attracting, enrolling, and graduating African American students, also noting their progress in bringing African American professors to their campuses. The colleges are graded according to a blending of 13 widely accepted quantitative measures of…

Reports that black students at selective U.S. colleges have high graduation rates, but black student graduation rates at flagship state universities and historically black colleges are far lower. These rates make a positive case for affirmative action at selective U.S. universities. Compares black and white graduation rates and presents data on…

Nationwide, fewer than two out of five entering black college students earn their degrees, while three out of five entering white students go on to graduate. Nearly 19 out of 20 black students at highly competitive universities earn their diplomas. Black women outpace black men in college completion. Examines trends in black graduation rates at…

New statistics reveal a slight decline in African American college student graduation rates. African Americans admitted to the most selective colleges continue to have high completion rates, while graduation rates at less selective state colleges and historically black colleges are far lower. Reasons for this difference include educational…

After a decade of steady improvements, graduation rates among African American college students dropped in each of the past 2 years. Discusses the success of black women versus black men, differences in black student graduation rates, differences in black and white graduation rates, graduation rates at black colleges and universities (HBCUs), and…

Presents statistics describing the progress of blacks in higher education, including: the black-white higher education equality index; statistics measuring the state of racial inequality; statistics on merit-based and need-based student financial aid; and statistics on blacks in higher education (e.g., there were significant increases between…

Provides statistical data that describe the present and potential future of blacks in higher education as well as highlighting positive and durable changes at particular colleges and universities. Specific areas include educational equality, college admissions, standardized test scores, and graduation rates of black athletes. Comments on…

Examines Occidental College's (California) experiment in enhancing ethnic diversity in its student body and creating a learning experience for its students that draws attention to and emphasizes these differences. Alumni opposition, the program's overall philosophy, and its ultimate success are discussed. (GR)

Reviews a variety of issues in brief reports related to blacks and higher education, including those of equal access to higher education and equal education, black college faculty diversity and hiring, rankings of black colleges, college entrance examination scores for minorities, black graduation rates, and affirmative action for school…

This collection of articles focuses such issues as the number of blacks completing doctoral degrees; the steady march of blacks into higher education; racial desensitization of the American public; the impact of Condoleezza Rice's statement on race-conscious admissions; how higher education shuts the door on the racial poverty gap; and how a…

Presents statistical data that reveals the progress of African Americans in postsecondary education. The data cover racial inequality, graduation rates for black students in general, and graduation rates for black athletes in particular, and the black presence in the fields of engineering, performing arts, and fine arts. (GLR)