Leading authority on student retention to address ACU faculty, staff For Immediate Release Jan. 7, 2000 Dr. Vincent Tinto, distinguished university professor and chair of the higher education program at Syracuse University, will speak, consult and advise Abilene Christian University faculty and staff about how to increase student retention. Tinto's day-long visit on Jan. 14 will include roundtable discussions, presentations and question-and-answers sessions. Dr. Dwayne VanRheenen, ACU provost, said he hopes two objectives are accomplished through Tinto's visit. One, promote ACU's campus-wide commitment to student achievement and retention, and two, review ACU's strategic plan in relation to the First-Year Program and the Student Achievement Team. "Dr. Tinto's research is often cited, especially his seminal book, 'Leaving College: Rethinking the Causes and Cures of Student Attrition,'" VanRheenen said. Tinto also is well-known for his research on learning communities. His schedule for Jan 14 is: 7:30 a.m. Roundtable with Learning Communities Advisory Council 9 a.m. "Learning Communities and Freshman Seminars: Gateways to Student Success," a presentation with questions-and-answers 10 a.m. "Working Together for Service Learning," a presentation with questions-and-answers 11 a.m. Chapel 11:30 a.m. "Colleges as Communities: Taking Research on Student Persistence Seriously," a presentation with questions-and-answers 1:30 p.m. Roundtable with the First-Year Council 3 p.m. Roundtable with the Council of Deans and Directors and the Student Achievement Team -30- Archived News Releases - Current ACU News and Events If you are a member of the media who would like more information about this release, please contact Tom Craig, director of media and community relations, at craigt@acu.edu or call 915-674-2692 (cell phone: 665-5469). Last update: Jan. 7, 2000 This page is maintained by Tom Craig, craigt@acu.edu. http://www.acu.edu/events/news/000107-retention.html