search articles:     from the issue of January 26, 2006         Huskers tops in Big 12 exhausted eligibility rate UNL is the Big 12 Conference leader in exhausted eligibility rates for the third consecutive year, according to federal graduation rates released by the NCAA on Jan. 19. Nebraska boasts an exhausted eligibility rate of 93 percent, 2 percentage points higher than its 91 percent mark a year ago. The exhausted eligibility rate surveys the graduation rate of scholarship student-athletes in 10 incoming freshmen classes who complete their eligibility at that university. Nebraska's exhausted eligibility rate has increased from 87 to 93 percent in the past five years and improved 21 percentage points since the inception of the exhausted eligibility rate in 1991-92. The current exhausted eligibility rate includes members of incoming classes from 1989-90 through 1998-1999. During that time period 417 of 448 Nebraska scholarship student-athletes who completed their eligibility earned their undergraduate degree. Nebraska's 93 percent exhausted eligibility rate ranks 3 percentage points higher than Baylor and Texas Tech who are tied for second in the Big 12 Conference at 90 percent. The national average for exhausted eligibility is 85 percent for Division I schools. Nebraska Athletic Director Steve Pederson said the rates are a strong indication of the work ethic of Husker student-athletes, and the focus that is placed on academics. "Our student-athletes, our coaches, and Dennis Leblanc and our staff in the Hewit Academic Center are to be commended for their outstanding work," Pederson said. "It is very clear that Nebraska student-athletes have their priorities straight and take pride in their academic successes. We all believe that true success in athletics comes only when combined with success in academics and success in life. Our students are living that example. We are very proud of their success in graduation." Additional information is available online at www.ncaa.org. GO TO: ISSUE OF JANUARY 26 NEWS HEADLINES FOR JANUARY 26 Weather pushes landscape services into spring mode Combined Campaign charts continued growth Gift forges largest Ag Fellowship Museum offers fossil days, disaster events Series outlines ways to better serve students Campus research helps develop new decorative millets Engineering opens year with new lab celebration FROM THE ARCHIVES Huskers tops in Big 12 exhausted eligibility rate Publication features UNL bio laboratory 732337S35385X