Last spring, the New York Times profiled the Bowdoin Dining Service as one of the best in the nation. This high-profile attention was far from undue: this summer the College retained its No. 2 spot on the Princeton Review's list of Best Campus Food. Wheaton College in Illinois was ranked No. 1.
Though the College has dropped a place on the list since being first place rankings in 2005 and 2006, Director of Dining Services Mary Lou Kennedy said, "We are proud to have been in the top 10 list in Princeton Review and recognized for excellence for many years."
The rankings, however, are not the most important criteria to Kennedy.
"While we are thrilled to receive national recognition, our primary goal has always been to be No. 1 in the eyes of the Bowdoin students," she said.
Kennedy cited Bowdoin dining's staff?exceptionally well-trained, creative, and professional employees?as a major factor to the College's top-ranked food.
Bowdoin also ranked well in the Princeton Review for overall quality of life, dorms, and smoothness of administration.
Well-fed Bowdoin students also have something to look forward to after they leave. The Wall Street Journal recently named Bowdoin one of the top liberal arts colleges that produce graduates with high paying jobs. Bowdoin graduates averaged $48,100 a year, coming in above Bates and Colby graduates, who earned an average of $47,300 and $46,400, respectively.
Director of the Career Planning Center Tim Diehl was not surprised that Bowdoin students ranked near the top.
"Employers across a wide array of industries recognize the value of a Bowdoin liberal arts education. Bowdoin students offer strong communication and problem solving skills and work well as members and leaders of teams," Diehl said. "These core qualities, plus an eagerness to embrace new endeavors, give Bowdoin students a competitive edge that translates into higher than average starting salaries."
Over the summer, Bowdoin could be found in a number of other rankings. The college was recognized as one of Kaplan's top 25 green colleges, and Forbes ranked Bowdoin at No. 15 of Best American Colleges?finishing ahead of Stanford and Dartmouth.