Edgewood College features options

Karyn Saemann

Students choose Edgewood College for many reasons.

It is Madison 's only independent liberal arts college, with a rich Catholic history. It was founded by the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters in 1927.

It sits near the shore of picturesque Lake Wingra, offering recreational and educational opportunities.

Its learning opportunities are varied and flexible, including the option to take classes at the Corporate Learning Center at a satellite campus on Deming Way. That location on Madison 's far west side particularly caters to returning students who work.

But since more than half of Edgewood 's students are full-time undergraduates, quality on-campus housing is also an important consideration.

Housing choices will expand in 2007 with the completion of a new residence hall that will house approximately 200 students. The new hall has been designed in a suite format, with four students per suite. The building will have study lounges on each floor, a game room and wireless Internet access.

The general contractor, J.H. Findorff & Son., Inc., is using green technology in the construction and several old oak trees on the site are being preserved.

"Research demonstrates that students who live on campus tend to stay in college, " Edgewood 's Web site says. "There is a direct, demonstrated positive impact on the quality of the education that results when students are engaged in a community of learners. "

The college offers more that 40 undergraduate degrees, as well as doctoral and master 's degree programs.

There is, of course, life after class. In addition to fine arts, student clubs and religious activities, Edgewood is a member of the NCAA Division III and the Northern Athletics Conference in basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, tennis, volleyball and basketball.

For more information on Edgewood, go to www.edgewood.edu.