1. Princeton Review ratings as Best College and Best Value
California State University, Stanislaus has received national recognition by its 2007 ranking as one of the best 366 colleges in the nation by the Princeton Review. Only two other CSU schools have ever been included in the prestigious ranking - Sonoma State and Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Only 10 percent of colleges and universities nationwide are in this elite circle.
The Princeton Review also ranked CSU Stanislaus as one of "America's Best Value Colleges," a distinction granted to only 165 colleges and universities across the United States.

The "Best 366 Colleges" guidebook is scheduled to be released in bookstores in August 2007. The 2008 edition of "America's Best Value Colleges" was release in April 2007. The Princeton Review is considered the most reputable academic ranking of higher education institutions in the United States.

2. U.S. News & World Report selection as one of top publics in West
U.S. News & World Report acclaimed CSU Stanislaus as one of the top 15 public universities in the West in its 2008 edition of "America's Best Colleges." The University also advanced to 43rd overall in the top tier for the West region in the "Best Universities-Master's" category which rates 116 private and public institutions. The U.S. News & World Report's rankings represent a comprehensive look at how schools stack up based on indicators of excellence gathered from more than 1,400 colleges and universities. Specifically, CSU Stanislaus rated strongly for its high freshman retention and graduation rates, relatively small class sizes, and high percentage of full-time faculty.

3. Fund-raising successes benefit key academic programs
Over the past year, CSU Stanislaus has raised significant funds to benefit key programs at the University. The new Nora and Hashem Naraghi Hall of Science opens this fall as Central California's premier state-of-the- art science facility. Named in honor of the Naraghis who left $2 million in their estate as a gift to CSU Stanislaus, the two-year, $54.4 million project includes extensive laboratories, classrooms, offices, and an observatory as the new home for the Biology, Chemistry, and Physics/Geology Departments.
In addition, E&J Gallo Winery contributed $125,000 to upgrade the University's Computer Information Systems Lab; Kaiser Permanente
donated $90,000 to the University's Nursing Program; and entrepreneur and philanthropist Sebastian Paul Musco donated $100,000 to CSU Stanislaus to benefit any program designated by President Shirvani. Student scholarship programs received a boost in October 2007 with a $500,000 grant from a Turlock donor who asked to remain anonymous.

4. AASCU recognition for graduation rates and student retention
The American Association of State Colleges and Universities cited CSU Stanislaus as one of 12 campuses nationwide for creating a campus culture that results in outstanding student retention. The University's freshmen-to-sophomore retention rate is over 80 percent. Its six-year graduation rate ranks among the best in the California State University system.

5. Students approve funding measure for Recreational Complex
CSU Stanislaus students overwhelmingly approved a referendum in May 2006 to fund construction of a student recreation complex scheduled to open in late fall 2008. The complex will include a fitness center and lighted soccer stadium with all-weather turf as well as an all-weather track and intramural sports and practice fields. The complex will allow for greater community participation and involvement in Warrior Athletics. At the November 5 groundbreaking ceremony, President Shirvani applauded the students for taking the initiative to turn what started out as a proposal into reality.

6. Enrollment reaches new high
Boosted by another all-time high freshman class, California State University, Stanislaus reached record enrollment in fall 2006 as student numbers jumped another 3 percent to 8,374. The increases included 3.5 percent more full-time students (6,314), 8.6 percent more freshmen (947), and the University's largest-ever number of transfer students (989). Graduate school enrollment and summer school enrollment numbers have increased by 21 percent.

7. Early College classes established in Turlock, Ceres, Stockton
Qualified high school juniors and seniors at seven regional schools have the opportunity to take college credit courses taught by CSU Stanislaus faculty on their own high school campuses. The Early College classes are being expanded to more high schools in the region as part of a drive to increase the percentage of students who attend four-year universities and to help prepare them for success in college. Currently, we are working with seven schools in Turlock, Ceres, Modesto, Stockton, and Delhi to offer Early College High School programs. Enrollment in the programs has increased to 160 students, including class offerings in the sciences planned for spring 2008.

8. Softball team finishes fifth in nation
Capping off a memorable season in May 2007 that concluded with a first-ever appearance in the national championship tournament, the Warrior softball team finished fifth in the nation. Designated player Casey Stephenson (Selma) was named to the NCAA Division II Softball Championship All-Tournament team. The Warriors won the West Region title on their home field to capture a spot in the national tournament in Aron, Ohio.

9. Ham Shirvani named President of the Year by students statewide
The California State Student Association (CSSA) named Dr. Hamid Shirvani, President of CSU Stanislaus, the 2006-2007 “President of the Year.” President Shirvani was cited for his reputation for building strong relationships with students and for demonstrating attributes of a strong leader.

10. Nursing Program expanding to enroll more students
In January, CSU Stanislaus will be able to almost-double the number of students it accepts into its Nursing program because of a grant allocation in the 2007-08 state budget and because of support from Kaiser Permanente. 70 students will now be enrolled on an annual basis into the University’s Nursing program, which received high praise and a 10-year accreditation renewal this year by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Kaiser Permanente donated $90,000 to the program to fund student scholarships and a key faculty position. Other health care industry donations to the Nursing Program are in the works.

Honorable Mentions

Presidential & Provost Scholarship Program
Some of the best and brightest freshmen students from the San Joaquin Valley are drawn to CSU Stanislaus by the Presidential & Provost Scholarship Program. Presidential Scholars receive $12,500 per year for four years, covering the full cost of tuition, fees, room, and board. Provost Scholars earn $3,500 a year for four years, which pays the full cost of tuition and fees.

Golf team wins first conference title since 2001
The Warrior golf team, coached by Jim Hanny who completed his 34th season as team leader, rallied to win its first California Collegiate Athletic Association title since 2001 in April 2007. The team then finished strong in May post-season competition with an eighth-place finish in the NCAA Division II National Championships in Allendale, Michigan. Leading the way was junior Erick Justesen (Sacramento) who earned All-American honors with a ninth place individual finish in the national tournament.

Academic Colleges’ reorganization and expansion
In a restructuring move designed to better serve students and faculty, six Colleges were created from the University's original three Colleges. While the Colleges of Business Administration and Education remained intact, the former College of Arts, Letters, and Sciences was realigned into the College of the Arts, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, and College of Human and Health Sciences.

WASC reaccreditation process praised as national model
The University’s institutional proposal for reaffirming its accreditation by 2010 has been selected by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) as an “exemplary” training model for other institutions. The WASC Committee commended the University’s proposal as “outstanding and indicative of the institution’s deep commitment to student and institutional learning.”

Little Shop of Horrors production wins regional honor
The University’s College of the Arts musical “Little Shop of Horrors” was selected to participate in the Region 13 competition of the 2007 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. It was the first CSU Stanislaus musical selected for the competition held in Cedar City, Utah, and the large group of cast and crew came home with special recognition for its outstanding performance.

New Ecology Master’s Program established
A new Masters of Science degree program in Ecology and Sustainability, the first of its kind in the California State University system, accepted students in 2006-07. The program is expected to meet a demand for graduates with skills that help resolve some of the conflicts between increasing population growth and the environment.

Track teams bring home medals, records
In one of the best seasons in program history, Coach Kim Duyst's Warrior men's and women's track and field teams piled up medals and school records during the 2007 season. Pacing the Warriors was potential Olympic Trials qualifier Joel Stallworth who clocked one of the best 400 meters times in the nation at the NCAA Division II Track and Field Championships in Charlotte, North Carolina. In addition to lowering his school record time, Stallworth was named CCAA Men's Athlete of the Year as the men's team won seven events and scored its highest-ever conference finish May 3-5 with a second place. The women's team captured its highest-ever finish in the conference meet with third place.

Student Andrew LaFlamme served as CSU Student Trustee
CSU Stanislaus student Andrew LaFlamme was selected by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger as the voting student member on the California State University Board of Trustees during the 2006-07 academic year. He represented students at all 23 CSU campuses. He is now working as a fellow in the California State Capitol, a competitive and distinguished graduate fellowship program.

Human Resources student team wins national title
Students in the College of Business Administration's Human Resources Management program put themselves in the record books by successfully defending their national championship in April 2007 with a fifth straight tournament victory in the Pacific Western Regional Games Championships. They finished the competition season ranked number one in the nation and have recorded a 66-9 record since joining the state, regional, and national competition in 2003. To earn this title, the CSU Stanislaus team beat teams from other very competitive and reputable colleges including Cornell University.