Westminster Nationally Recognized For Third Straight Year as College of Distinction

Officials at Westminster College in Fulton, MO were notified this week that the prestigious liberal arts college has been nationally recognized by Colleges of Distinction for the third year in a row as one of the best places for students to learn, grow and succeed.

Westminster has been named a College of Distinction for the 2015-2016 academic year.

“On behalf of the faculty, students, and staff of Westminster College, we are pleased to accept this honor,” said Westminster College President Benjamin Ola. Akande. “This national recognition reinforces the strong outcomes that Westminster delivers for its students and graduates.”

“Westminster excels at what matters: providing a teaching-centered undergraduate education that combines innovative learning with experiential educational opportunities,” says Wes Creel, Founder of Colleges of Distinction. “The Colleges of Distinction cultivate graduates who are well rounded successful citizens with the capacity to contribute to their communities, their nations, and the world.”

Colleges and universities are nominated by high school counselors, college administrative members and the Colleges of Distinction selection team.

Colleges of Distinction is a national college guide to undergraduate schools for students, counselors and parents that bases its findings on the engagement of the students, the quality of the teaching, the vibrancy of the campus community and the success of its graduates.

The research staff of the company interviews staff and faculty at the schools under consideration, gains information from college admissions experts around the country and collects feedback from administrators at other colleges and high school counselors across the country.

Data evaluated includes graduation rates, classroom size, employment and advanced study placements; co-curricular and leadership development opportunities on campus; scope of the learning, ranging from “hands-on” techniques and research to field work, internships abroad and service learning; innovative curriculum; and classes taught by professors rather than graduate students or teaching assistants.

The evaluators visit each campus to get a feel for the level of student engagement and the quality of the teaching.  They look for trends in the data that will help students understand where the college is headed, rather than where it has been.

Each college or university selected for inclusion receives a profile on the guide’s website and copies of the guide books are distributed to thousands of high school and community college counselors.

Interested students and parents can find out more information by going to the website http://collegesofdistinction.com/.