By Joan C. McKinney, news and publications coordinator

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - Campbellsville University has been ranked as one of the best “up-and-coming” schools in the south according to the new U.S.News & World Report's “America's Best Colleges” in the 2011 Regional Colleges in the South category as well as remaining in the top 25 of Regional Colleges in the South.

CU is ranked third in the new category in the south; CU was ranked fourth last year.

“Up-and-coming” schools are colleges and universities that were singled out as “schools that have recently made the most promising and innovative changes in academics, faculty, students, campus or facilities,” according to U.S.News & World Report.

The “up-and-coming” schools were ranked against other schools within their categories in the U.S.News rankings. A total of 68 colleges and universities across the nation were singled out for this honor.

CU was also ranked 25th in the best Regional Colleges in the South category. This is the fourth year in a row that CU has been ranked in the top 25 in the south. CU has been ranked in U.S.News' “America's Best Colleges” 18 consecutive years.

“It is a great accomplishment to be ranked in the top 25 of Best Regional Colleges in the South,” according to an announcement from Campbellsville University President Michael V. Carter, “but it is especially satisfying to see us ranked as an ‘up-and-coming' institution with CU having moved up in the list this year.

“We know we have innovative programs that prepare our students to be strong Christian servant leaders, and it is gratifying to see that our peers recognize our pioneering academic programs as well as our spiritual, athletic and extracurricular endeavors.”

This year's ranking recognizes the “colleges that are helping students be successful and stay in school,” Carter said.

“It is an honor to be recognized for providing students with an excellent educational experience,” Carter said.

Carter said Campbellsville University students will see many new changes as they return to campus Monday, Aug. 23. New synthetic turf and lights have been placed on the football field, and new lights are on the university's baseball field. Two new men's residence villages are open to house 90 students.

New computers and classroom enhancements have been added across campus, and new academic programs have been added including the university's 16th master's degree - master of arts in organizational leadership.

“Needless to say, we are pleased with this ranking among the South's best regional universities and as an ‘up-and-coming' institution,” Carter said.

Academic institutions are categorized by their mission and region with the gathering of data from each of 12 indicators of academic excellence. The schools are ranked against their peers, according to scores given by U.S.News & World Report.

The indicators used to capture academic quality fall into a number of categories: assessment by administrators at peer institutions, retention of students, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, alumni giving, and (for National Universities and National Liberal Arts Colleges) high school counselor ratings of colleges and “graduation rate performance.” The indicators include input measures that reflect a school's student body, its faculty, and its financial resources, along with outcome measures that signal how well the institution does its job of educating students.

“Campbellsville University has a theme of ‘find your calling' that exemplifies what Campbellsville University means to our students. We feel it is the epitome of what a Christian education at Campbellsville University can provide for our students as we prepare the next generation of Christian servant leaders,” Carter said.

Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with over 3,000 students offering 45 undergraduate programs, 16 master's degrees and five postgraduate areas. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.