Kansas Governor Sam Brownback has issued a proclamation identifying Feb. 9-16 as Kansas Private College week in the state of Kansas. 
The governor’s proclamation brings attention to Kansas higher education, especially the role played by Southwestern College and the 17 other independent colleges and universities that form the Kansas Independent College Association.

Kansas private colleges award over $120 million in institutional grants and scholarships to students annually; 20% of the state’s bachelor’s degrees and 23% of the state’s master’s degrees are awarded to students attending private colleges.

“Kansas private colleges are efficient and effective,” says Southwestern president Dick Merriman.  “We provide significant educational opportunities for Kansas students without direct support from Kansas taxpayers and our focus on service learning and leadership means our graduates make important contributions to Kansas communities.”

“There are 18 private colleges in Kansas, enrolling 25,000 undergraduate and graduate students each year; and there are over 275,000 living alums—half of whom live and work in Kansas; among these alums are some of the state’s most important civic, business, and cultural leaders,” Brownback says.

Along with Southwestern College, the other 17 independent colleges and universities are Baker, Benedictine, Bethany, Bethel, Central Christian, Donnelly, Friends, Hesston, Kansas Wesleyan, McPherson, Manhattan Christian, MidAmerica Nazarene, Newman, Ottawa, Saint Mary, Sterling, and Tabor.