Abstract
The purpose of this study was to clarify the institutional image of Louisiana College held by selected constituencies using the profile technique. In clarifying the institutional image, particular attention was paid to the convergent and divergent views of five stakeholding audiences. The perceptions of institutional image were documented by administering a mailed questionnaire to random samples drawn from each of five populations: prospective students, current students, alumni, faculty, and pastors. Respondents were asked to describe an ideal college and Louisiana College on an identical series of 7-point semantic differential scales. Measurement of the ideal image provided a frame of reference for comparing the actual college image. Analysis of variance, with post hoc comparisons of means via the Scheffe test to determine the nature of the group differences if the null hypotheses is rejected, was used to statistically test the first two hypotheses. The third hypothesis was statistically tested by paired t-tests. The results of the study reported here provide important information about the image character of the institution. In general, the data indicated that Louisiana College enjoys a positive overall image among each of the populations surveyed. Only three of the 85 ratings received by Louisiana College were negative. Alumni and current students rated Louisiana College as having expensive tuition while faculty rated Louisiana College as being unknown. Prospective students, current students, alumni, faculty, and pastors all agreed that Louisiana College has a superior academic reputation, small enrollment, attractive campus, competitive academic environment, personal atmosphere, attractive neighborhood and city, Christian environment, strong graduate and professional school preparation, conservative social life, Baptist emphasis, is near to home, and superior for getting a job after graduation. However, the results also indicated that Louisiana College has room for improvement. When comparing Louisiana College with the ideal college, every population registered significant differences on a majority of the bi-polar traits. This study recommended continued research in this area. Similar studies should be conducted using other key constituencies and comparing Louisiana College with competitive institutions.
Ellis, Ronald Lane (1987). Institutional image of Louisiana College as perceived by selected constituencies. Texas A&M University. Texas A&M University. Libraries. Available electronically from
https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /DISSERTATIONS -16216.