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LOGAN — Utah State University last week joined the highest level of research institutions in the nation by earning the prestigious R1 classification — meaning the university has "very high research activity" — in the latest Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education announced this month.
The university, one of only nine institutions to obtain R1 classification in 2021, joined 136 other members as having R1 classification. The designation denotes USU as a state and national leader in research ventures and graduate education.
"I am thrilled Utah State University has been designated a Carnegie R1 University," said President Noelle Cockett in a prepared statement Monday. "To achieve this top-tier designation has been years in the making and now sets our university apart as a premier research institution in the nation. This is a historic achievement for our university, and I am proud of our faculty, staff and students who have worked to create transformational impacts through meaningful research."
The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education has been around for more than 40 years and is headed up by the Center for Postsecondary Research at the University of Indiana.
"It's a reflection of the level of activity — an indicator — of the strengths of the research of the institution," said Lisa Berreau, vice president of research at USU.
USU joins the University of Utah as only the second institution in the state to receive R1 classification.
"Having two strong Carnegie R1 research institutions in Utah opens doors to new private and public partnerships and provides tremendous opportunities for workforce development and economic growth in the state," said Utah System of Higher Education Commissioner Dave R. Woolstenhulme in a statement Monday.
"This is a proud moment for Utah, and we're inspired to see the impact Utah State University is having in the nation."
Over the years, USU had been classified as an R2 institution, one level below R1, but after receiving a dramatic increase in research expenditures, USU jumped to R1 classification.
During the 2021 fiscal year, USU researchers enjoyed awards totaling $368.5 million. This growth represents a 26% increase from the 2020 fiscal year.
"That's related to the growth of research on our main campus at Logan, also through our statewide campus systems and through the Space Dynamics Lab, which is affiliated with Utah State University," Berreau said.
USU's total funding includes $124.5 million generated by researchers on campus, as well as $244 million in contracts and grants from USU's Space Dynamics Laboratory.
"That combination of growth, plus growth in our graduate programs are what resulted in us moving to the R1 classification," Berreau said, adding that the classification gives USU "momentum on which to build and continue to try to leverage our research strengths to address current problems."
Specifically, Berreau mentioned research related to the future of electric vehicles as well as anti-viral research, to name a few examples.
"R1 is a reflection of where we are at this point, but I see it as an absolute starting point to continue to grow as a research institution."
Aside from being a national leader in research and graduate education, USU last February was recognized as having the top undergraduate research program in the nation by the Council for Undergraduate Research, something that Berreau said played into its new R1 classification.
"We pride ourselves on being a place where education and research are strongly intertwined. I'm highly sure that there are very few universities that have this combination — which is to be a top-tier research institution and yet engaging our students in research as well, I think that's what makes us unique and why people would want to come (to USU) to do research," Berreau said.
"Young people are so excited about research that's going to impact their future and I think faculty at USU really embrace that and want to involve young people — as research grows, so shall the state (and) benefit from that."
The classification, which is considered preliminary at this time, will become official at the end of January 2022.
