GU, Whitworth among West’s best

Gonzaga University and Whitworth College ranked among the region’s best schools and values in the new rankings by U.S. News & World Report.

The two Spokane private schools typically do well in the annual rankings. This year, GU was ranked third among all master’s-level universities in the West; Whitworth was fifth.

Whitworth was ranked third on the list of best values among its class, while GU was seventh.

GU also ranked tops in its class of 61 schools for its rate of alumni giving – 27 percent of alums gave money in the past two academic years.

The region’s public schools varied in ranking. Washington State University was tied with several schools at 112 in the top tier of “national universities” – those with doctoral programs. The University of Washington was 42nd on that list, which was topped by Princeton, Harvard and Yale, respectively.

The University of Idaho was ranked in the third of four tiers among national universities.

Eastern Washington University was ranked 51st out of the Western region for institutions whose programs mostly top out at the master’s level – the same class as Gonzaga and Whitworth. Western, Central and Eastern Washington universities made the top 20 list of “top publics” in the region for their class.

– Shawn Vestal

Vandals damage Valley golf course

Vandals caused an estimated $5,000 worth of damage to greens and the pro shop at the Chester Creek Par 3 Golf Course on Thursday night.

The course is located at the Painted Hills Golf Course, at Thorpe and Dishman-Mica roads in the Spokane Valley.

According to Tim McElhinny, general manager and co-owner of Painted Hills, vandals used golf clubs to hack up the Par 3’s greens and broke the window of the pro shop.

A reward is being offered through Secret Witness for information leading to an arrest. People offering tips can remain anonymous. Call (509) 327-5111.

– Kandis Carpe

EWU board awards rec center contract

Work on a new recreation center at Eastern Washington University advanced this week, when the school’s board of trustees awarded the construction contract for the $26.3 million project.

The contract went to Lydig Construction, EWU said in a news release.

The rec center became a focus of controversy earlier this year, when some on campus questioned including an ice rink after unforeseen increases in construction costs. University officials said the rink is part of a multipurpose floor that was a popular choice when students were surveyed.

Students will pay more for the new center than they’d planned, however. A student vote last year approved a $55-per-quarter fee to help pay for the center. EWU said this week that increased materials costs made it necessary to raise that by $10.

The new 117,699-square-foot center will include exercise facilities, an indoor track, climbing wall, courts, food service and offices. The multipurpose floor includes seating for 1,000 and can be used for a range of special events, EWU said. It’s expected to be open by fall 2008.

For more information, go to www.ewu.edu/x42340.xml.

– Shawn Vestal