May 31, 2011

EASTON, Pa. - Through an initiative from the presidents of the eight Patriot League institutions, the Patriot League Academic Network was launched earlier this year to showcase the excellent academic programs and outstanding communities at each of the league schools through various multimedia formats.

Lafayette is an academic leader in the Patriot League, as 16 of Lafayette's 23 sports have received 2010-11 NCAA Division I Academic Performance Program Public Recognition Awards.

The network will include a series of features highlighting the involvement of Patriot League institutions in various timely academic initiatives. The first collaborative effort details the impact that several schools had on assisting with the recovery in Haiti following last year's earthquakes. The site can be viewed at www.patriotleagueacademicnetwork.org.

Lafayette provided numerous opportunities to learn about and help the people of Haiti recover including a benefit dance marathon, donation drives, and discussion forums. Students from the Experimental Printmaking Institute produced limited edition prints by artist Faith Ringgold to benefit the children of Haiti. Father Thomas J. Hagan, O.S.F.S., former Catholic chaplain at Lafayette and the founder of the humanitarian organization Hands Together, spoke about his work in Haiti at the 175th Commencement.

On the Patriot League Academic Network, institutions feature videos about campus life, notably their academic offerings and the accomplishments of students, faculty, and staff. The fall focus will be "Ethics Across the Curriculum" to correspond with November's Patriot League academic conference.

Patriot League institutions recruit and attract diverse student populations with representation from all 50 states and more than 70 countries. The alumni from Patriot League institutions continue to play a leadership role in the shaping of our country. Numerous Patriot League graduates have become Rhodes Scholars, Fulbright Scholars and Marshall Scholars, as well as earning other post-graduate scholarship opportunities and prestigious academic honors.