By Natasha Janes, student news writer

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - The 14th annual report of America's Best Christian Colleges® by the Institutional Research & Evaluation Inc. has included Campbellsville University for 2010. This is the fourth consecutive year for the honor.

John Chowning, vice president for church and external relations and executive assistant to the president, said, “Campbellsville University is very honored to be selected as one of ‘America's Best Christian Colleges' for the fourth consecutive year.”

To achieve this honor, there are four main qualities an institution must have. First, an institution must be an accredited, four-year institution offering bachelor degrees. Secondly, an institution must offer full residential facilities including residence halls and dining services.

The institution must also have had an entering freshman class in the fall of 2009 with a high school grade point average and/or SAT/ACT score equal to or above the national average for all freshmen entering Christian institutions of higher education. Lastly, the college must be affiliated with a recognized Christian denomination providing an educational experience incorporating basic Christian principles and beliefs into the instructional curriculum and/ or social environment.

Survey results showed that the high school GPA for freshmen entering Christian institutions of higher education in the fall of 2009 was 3.30. Surveys also showed that the average ACT score for freshmen entering Christian institutions of higher education in the fall of 2009 was 22.

Chowning said, “We have been very intentional in our commitment to making certain, that as Campbellsville grows and expands, that we remain committed to the very important and basic mission of the university - to prepare Christian servant leaders as we have been doing for the past 104 years.

“This recognition affirms that we are moving in the right direction of continuing to grow the institution, provide a high quality Christian education, help students find their calling and encourage our students, faculty, staff, and coaches to be involved in lives of service and ministry.

“There has never been a greater need for Christian higher education than in 2010 and beyond, and our commitment is to make certain that such education at CU is high quality, academic challenging, and Christ-centered.”

Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with over 3,000 students offering 63 undergraduate programs, 17 master's degrees and five postgraduate areas. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.