Taken early this morning. Paternoville alive and well anticipating a Michigan beatdown tomorrow.

Just when it was cool to mock Penn State again (Yeah you ESPN), it is a welcome break when we here at quebecpenspinning can proudly boast the academic success of our students instead.

The NCAA released their Graduation Success Rate (GSR) report earlier this week and Penn State, commonly known for their exceptionally high graduation rates bested themselves when they set a new Graduation Sucess Rate record of 89%. This in comparison to the nationwide average of 78% for Division I insitutions is absolutely outstanding.

The last GSR record set by Penn State? 83% graduation rate set by the student-athletes in the entering classes of 1999-2000, 1997-1998, and 1989-1990.

The GSR measures graduation rates at Division I schools and includes transfers in and out of the school prior to graduation.

The NCAA data revealed that student-athletes from 22 of Penn State’s 25 teams (track/cross country teams combined) earned a Graduation Success Rate at or above the national GSR average of 78 percent. Eleven Penn State squads earned a Graduation Success Rate of 100 percent, one higher than last year, and 21 Nittany Lion teams earned a GSR higher than the national average for their respective sport.

Amazing, absolutely amazing. Especially with the sucess of Penn State’s athletic teams. This is further reason why I am proud to be a Nittany Lion fan.

2008-09 NCAA Graduation Rates Report Key Comparisons:

All Students (entering class of 2001-02)
Penn State 84 percent, Division I: 62 percent

Student-Athletes (four-year GSR)
Penn State 89 percent, Division I: 78 percent
Big Ten rankings: 1. Northwestern (97 percent), 2. Penn State (89 percent)

Student-Athletes (entering class of 2001-02)
Penn State 84 percent, Division I: 64 percent
Big Ten rankings: 1. Northwestern (89 percent), 2. Penn State and Michigan (84 percent)

Student-Athletes (four-year federal)
Penn State 82 percent, Division I: 63 percent
Big Ten rankings: 1. Northwestern (88 percent), 2. Penn State (82 percent)

African-American Student-Athletes (four-year GSR)
Penn State 80 percent, Division I: 62 percent
Big Ten rankings: 1. Northwestern (94 percent), 2. Penn State (80 percent)

African-American Student-Athletes (entering class of 2001-02)
Penn State 79 percent, Division I: 53 percent
Big Ten rankings: 1. Penn State (79 percent)

African-American Student-Athletes (four-year federal)
Penn State 76 percent, Division I: 53 percent
Big Ten rankings: 1. Northwestern (81 percent), 2. Penn State (76 percent)

Football Student-Athletes (four-year GSR)
Penn State 78 percent, Division I: 67 percent
Big Ten rankings: 1. Northwestern (92 percent), 2. Penn State (78 percent)

Football Student-Athletes (entering class of 2001-02)
Penn State 77 percent, Division I: 56 percent
Big Ten rankings: 1. Northwestern (80 percent), Penn State (77 percent)

Football Student-Athletes (four-year federal)
Penn State 75 percent, Division I: 55 percent
Big Ten rankings: 1. Northwestern (78 percent), 2. Penn State (75 percent)

Female Student-Athletes (four-year GSR)
Penn State 97 percent, Division I: 87 percent
Big Ten rankings: 1. Northwestern (99 percent), 2. Illinois (98 percent), 3. Penn State (97 percent)

Female Student-Athletes (entering class of 2001-02)
Penn State 94 percent, Division I: 72 percent
Big Ten rankings: 1. Penn State and Northwestern (94 percent)

Female Student-Athletes (four-year federal)
Penn State 91 percent, Division I: 71 percent
Big Ten rankings: 1. Northwestern (93 percent), 2. Penn State (91 percent)

Male Student-Athletes (four-year GSR)
Penn State 83 percent, Division I: 71 percent
Big Ten rankings: 1. Northwestern (95 percent), 2. Penn State (83 percent)

Male Student-Athletes (entering class of 2001-02)
Penn State 78 percent, Division I: 56 percent
Big Ten rankings: 1. Northwestern (84 percent), Penn State (78 percent)

Male Student-Athletes (four-year federal)
Penn State 75 percent, Division I: 56 percent
Big Ten rankings: 1. Northwestern (83 percent), 2. Penn State (75 percent)