Here’s a belated bravo to Bates College for winning a top ranking in The Princeton Review’s newest guide, “Colleges with a Conscience: 81 Great Schools with Outstanding Community Involvement.”

The rating shows the determination of the college to be part of its home community. It shows the wisdom of its students in recognizing that real-world experience is valuable and rewarding. And, finally, it shows the growing acceptance by our community of those students in our lives.

All of us – community, college and students – should be proud of this achievement.