COD 2020August 27, 2020 (Jackson, Miss.) - Belhaven University is one of only two universities in Mississippi that earned the title 2020-2021 College of Distinction. This is the 11th consecutive year the University has taken top honors.

Belhaven was recognized for its continued dedication to quality higher education and shares this honor with other prestigious institutions such as Wheaton College, Belmont University, Wake Forest University, Samford University, and Tulane University.

Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing Dr. Kevin Russell, said, "This award recognizes the strengths of our Belhaven University faculty as they create an eagerness to learn which ultimately translates into an engaged community of scholars. We are excited to see our legacy continue with this national award.”

Four distinctions determine if an institution is recognized as a College of Distinction. The four requirements include engaged students, great teaching, vibrant community, and successful outcomes. Each institution's freshman experience is reviewed as well as its general education program, strategic plan, alumni success, and satisfaction measures.

“Each school is different, just as every student is different,” said Colleges of Distinction Founder Wes Creel. “There is no number-one college for everyone, so we never rank those in our cohort. Belhaven University's inclusion is informed by the unique ways it commits to achieving success. It's inspiring to see the University commit to the learning styles and community involvement that will best allow their students to thrive.”

Belhaven has created a unique learning environment where students not only earn college credit and valuable life experience, but also participate in character-building seminars, service-learning programs, diversity and global learning programs, interdisciplinary programs, collaborative assignments and projects, undergraduate research projects, living-learning communities, common intellectual experiences capstone projects, study abroad programs and internships.