New York Times celebrates "Cincinnati Starchitecture" on UC campus

This week's New York Times Magazine presents "The Education Issue," a collection of thought-provoking stories with headlines like "A Prescription for More Black Doctors," "Why We Should Fear University, Inc." and "What Is the Point of College?" The online headline that caught our attention, though, was for a slideshow called "Cincinnati Starchitecture."

The University of Cincinnati campus is featured in 14 very nice photos as a playground for renowned architects, from the recently unveiled renovation of Nippert Stadium to various academic, recreation and dorm buildings. It's an amazing tribute to the school on a very high-profile web site.

See the New York Times slideshow here.

UPDATE: The Times has added an accompanying feature story to the slideshow, "If You Build It, They Will Come ... Won't They?" The story describes how UC is trying to raise its profile through a risky (but increasingly common) investment: expensive architecture.

"The university now has $1.1 billion in debt — close to 20 percent more than it had in 2004 — largely because of its construction boom," the story says. "During the same time, enrollment has increased by nearly 30 percent. The spending is predicated on the idea that new buildings can help turn provincial universities into outre, worldly 'academical villages.' It's a financial gamble — one that many public institutions find themselves driven to make."