In the 2007 Best Colleges issue of U.S. News & World Report, the Entrepreneurship Center, under the direction of Larry Cox, is ranked sixth -- ahead of such notable business schools at the University of Arizona, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, University of California-Berkeley, University of Texas-Austin and University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.

The rankings may be found online at www.usnews.com and will be available on newsstands Aug. 21.                

Ball State President Jo Ann M. Gora said the Entrepreneurship Center's continuous ranking among the nation's best programs is evidence that the university has a strong national presence. The entrepreneurship program has been consistently ranked in the top 10 by the magazine since 1999.

"The ranking is a testament to our efforts to not only prepare highly talented students for various business-related careers, but to also have faculty and students assist emerging and mature businesses with critical needs," she said. "At the same time, as our students and faculty work with public and private groups and organizations through our Building Better Communities initiative and other programs, we are fostering entrepreneurship to help Indiana transform its economy for the 21st century."

Founded more than 20 years ago, the undergraduate program is well known as the ultimate entrepreneurial experience, including a final "pass or fail" class that forces seniors to put their degrees on the line when their business plans are reviewed by a group of top business leaders just days before graduation, said Lynne Richardson, dean of the business college.

She believes the Miller College of Business has established a solid position at the forefront of entrepreneurial education, research and innovation, with a commitment to outreach and research through the Entrepreneurship Center and as the co-administrative site for the National Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers.

The rankings are a result of a survey of deans and senior faculty at undergraduate business programs accredited by the Association to Advance College Schools of Business.

"We are pleased that educators around the country see the strength and quality of our program," Richardson said. "We firmly believe that entrepreneurship faculty and students in the Miller College of Business are among the best in the nation."

(Note to editors: Gora may be reached for interviews by contacting Glenn Augustine, senior director of university communications, at ggaugustine@bsu.edu or (office) (765) 285-1560 or (765) 748-4822. Richardson may be reached at lrichardson@bsu.edu or (765) 285-8192. Cox may be contacted at lcox@bsu.edu or (765) 285-9002.)