Reader's Choice: Georgia Southern University

We use hard statistics to produce Kiplinger’s annual rankings for best values in public colleges and universities, and we’re proud of the results. Now, we’re giving our readers’ favorites a chance to brag a little, by letting a student fill us in on what’s fun, cool, quirky and just plain great on campus and nearby.

LOCATION: Statesboro, Ga.

UNDERGRADUTE ENROLLMENT: 15,490

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BEST ON-CAMPUS FEATURE:

The Recreational Activities Center (RAC). The RAC is where students go to unwind and have some fun after a hard day in the classroom and at work. There are so many options for things to do, including two swimming pools, two hot tubs, eight indoor basketball courts, two outdoor courts, five racquet ball courts, a three-story climbing wall, and to cap it all off, 215,000 square feet of workout space.

BEST OFF-CAMPUS FEATURE:

The city of Statesboro has a number of restaurants and stores students like to frequent. Off campus, there are several especially good coffee shops, including the Daily Grind and Latte Da Coffee Cafe. Many of them have wi-fi, and they are a great place to sit and relax.

WHERE SENIORS WANT TO LIVE:

University Villas. The department of housing purchased this off-campus apartment complex, which was close to campus, and completely renovated every room. The renovations included new appliances and furniture and a fresh coat of paint, as well as improvements to a pool that was already in the complex.

MOST UNUSUAL CAMPUS TRADITION:

Our football team arrives at every game in two old, yellow school buses that were donated to the program when the team did not have money to buy its own in the early 1980s. The team has used these buses ever since, and they have become an important part of the football tradition.

BEST PLACE TO STUDY DURING FINALS WEEK:

Without question, our newly renovated and expanded Zach S. Henderson Library. The student body now has a first-class facility where they can study, do research and even grab a cup of coffee.

MOST CROWDED SPOT ON THE FIRST NICE DAY:

Sweetheart Circle, near the middle of campus, is the place to be when the sun is shining and people just want to be outside. Students come out there to throw Frisbees, attach their hammocks to trees, or even take a nap on the circle’s grass lawn.

BEST PLACE TO EAT WHEN THE DINING HALL WON'T DO:

Snooky’s is a local restaurant that has been in Statesboro since the 1950s. It is a favorite of the locals. You have not officially become a student of Georgia Southern until you walk through the doors of Snooky’s. The breakfast buffet that is served every Saturday morning is the best.

WHERE YOU WANT TO BE ON A SATURDAY NIGHT:

Savannah is a major city that is only a short drive away. With malls, historic River Street, and a variety of dining areas, Savannah makes a great trip with friends. There are also many restaurants around Statesboro to choose from, and places where students can hang out with friends and just have fun.

WHAT WE WON'T LEARN ON THE CAMPUS TOUR:

What it really means to be part of the Georgia Southern family, a close-knit group of individuals who all identify with one name, Georgia Southern Eagles.

CLASS THAT GETS STUDENTS TALKING:

That depends on the college you are in. I know one of the “most talked about” courses in the College of Business for marketing students is Dr. Trey Denton’s International Marketing course, where we learn some pretty amazing lessons about what it’s like to do business in another country.

BEST WEEKEND FOR FRIENDS TO VISIT:

Any weekend of a football game! It is always fun to watch the Eagles get off the buses and take the field.

SIX WORDS ABOUT YOUR COLLEGE THAT SAY IT ALL:

Large-scale university that feels small.

Georgia Southern University

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