JACKSON, Miss. - Belhaven University has been named to the 2016-17 list of Christian Colleges of Distinction, as announced by the Colleges of Distinction organization this week.
This is the seventh consecutive year that Belhaven has been recognized as a Christian College of Distinction. Institutions are selected to the list based on four criteria - student engagement, great teaching, vibrant communities and successful outcomes.
"To receive this high acclaim for seven years in a row is a significant accomplishment,” noted Kevin Russell, Belhaven's Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing. "But when you consider the criterion, I'm not surprised. Our faculty are some of the best in the country in the fields they teach, our students are eager to learn, our campus has a vibe that fosters strong community, and we partner with our students to find success by helping them discover the field or vocation that best fits their God-given abilities. When you excel at these fundamentals, awards like this are sure to come."
There were 56 colleges and universities across the nation named to the 2016-17 list. Belhaven was the only Mississippi institution honored. Belhaven was joined by other prestigious institutions such as Baylor University, Belmont University, Charleston Southern University, Pepperdine University, Samford University and Wheaton College.
According to Colleges of Distinction, Belhaven was honored because it is nationally recognized by education professionals as an excellent school and has a strong focus on teaching undergraduates. It is also home to a wide variety of innovative learning experiences and has an active campus life with many opportunities for personal development. Belhaven is also highly valued by graduate schools and employers for its career preparation.
Colleges of Distinction takes an unbiased look at the admission process and look at the myths surrounding college admissions, provide tools for self-assessment and provide insights from college admissions professionals, high school counselors, students and parents. Colleges and universities are nominated for participation by educators, and then evaluated using qualitative and quantitative research.