January 19, 2022 (Jackson, Miss.) - Colleges of Distinction, a national guide for college-bound students, has awarded Belhaven University three major awards for its commitment to higher education.
Belhaven University is one of only three universities in the state that earned the national title 2021-2022 College of Distinction. This is the 12th consecutive year the University has taken this top honor.
Belhaven was the only Mississippi institution honored as a top Christian university, and this is the 11th year the University earned the title 2021-2022 Christian College of Distinction. In addition, Belhaven was also honored as a 2021-2022 Mississippi College of Distinction.
“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,” said Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing Dr. Kevin Russell.“We are excited to see our legacy continue with these national awards.”
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.
“Every student has their own unique set of abilities, their own goals, and their own ideal settings in which they would thrive,” said Colleges of Distinction Founder Wes Creel. “That's why we don't rank our schools. It's about finding the best opportunities for each individual's needs and desires. It's inspiring to see Belhaven University commit to the learning styles and community involvement that will best allow their students to succeed in and beyond their college years.”
Belhaven shares these honors with other prestigious institutions such as Wheaton College, Belmont University, Wake Forest University, Samford University, and Tulane University.
Colleges of Distinction recognized Belhaven University's 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.