Gridiron Dawgs honored for graduation rate

For the fourth straight year, Mississippi State University has received honorable mention status in the College Football Association's Graduation Rate Survey. The CFA annually honors schools having a graduation rate better than 70 percent.

Mississippi State was among 19 schools receiving honorable mention from the CFA this year, including fellow SEC members South Carolina and Vanderbilt.

The CFA awarded the Academic Achievement Award to three schools--Boston College, Duke University, and Wake Forest University--for recording the highest graduation rate in this year's survey, 95 percent.

"This is quite a credit to our football student-athletes and everyone associated with this accomplishment," athletic director Larry Templeton said. "To be one of just 10 schools nationally to receive this award four straight years demonstrates the importance we place on preparing our players both on the field and in the classroom."

The survey reported a national overall graduation rate of 58.6 percent, up .7 percent from last year. This year's graduation rate is the second highest ever, with the highest (59.1 percent) recorded in 1993.

The CFA Academic Achievement Award was established in 1981 and is presented annually by the Touchdown Club of Memphis. The award recognizes the CFA member institution with the highest graduation rate among members of its football team. The award and honorable mention plaques were presented June 2 at the CFA's 19th Annual Meeting in Dallas.