LACEY, Wash. — ϲʿ has been selected as a 2024-2025 College of Distinction, an honor that highlights its commitment to providing an exceptional undergraduate education. The University also received College of Distinction awards in nine additional categories: Catholic higher education institutions, Washington State institutions, affordability, career development initiatives, military support and in four top-tier academic programs. These awards reflect the University’s dedication to fostering hands-on learning, strong student-faculty relationships, an engaged campus community and transformative student outcomes.
"We are honored to receive these College of Distinction awards, which affirm our ongoing commitment to providing a high-quality, Catholic Benedictine educational experience for our students," said ϲʿ President Bill Brownsberger, S.T.D. "This recognition reflects the dedication and hard work of our faculty, staff and students who embody our mission of academic excellence and community impact through the interaction of faith, reason and service."
In addition to being named a 2024-25 College of Distinction, ϲʿ’s was also named a Catholic College of Distinction and a Washington College of Distinction, and received special recognition in the following categories:
- Affordability – a distinction for the University’s commitment to affordability compared to other institutions and a testament to its return on investment
- Military support – recognized for comprehensive programs that best enable service members to thrive in and beyond the classroom
- Career development – earned by the University’s intentional focus on post-graduate opportunities and extensive offering of resources readying students for success beyond graduation
- Business – in recognition of hands-on business programs that produce experienced, responsible leaders for the corporate world
- Education – in recognition of the program’s practical experiences, advising and mentoring, high-impact practices and successful student outcomes
- Engineering – in recognition of the program’s dedication to providing a dynamic, experience-based undergraduate education for future engineers
- Nursing – in recognition of the program’s hands-on learning to produce well-rounded, thoughtful and skilled nurses of tomorrow
The Catholic College of Distinction award identifies institutions that prepare both the minds and hearts of students for success. The award is given to schools that are Catholic not only in origin but in practice, and ϲʿ’s earned it by integrating its mission to “empower students to make a positive difference in their lives and in the lives of others through the interaction of faith, reason and service” into every experiential learning opportunity. This badge marks Saints Martin’s as a university that offers more than just the typical perks of a private school – such as small class size and more personalized attention – but also integrates opportunities to grow, serve and lead with compassion.
Colleges of Distinction awards schools for their successful implementation of high-impact educational practices and hands-on learning. Unlike traditional ranking systems based on numerical data, its selection process involves extensive research and detailed interviews with the institutions, accepting those that adhere to the Four Distinctions: engaged students, great teaching, vibrant community, and successful outcomes. ϲʿ’s demonstrated exceptional performance in each of these areas, ensuring a supportive and enriching environment that equips students for future academic and career success.
Some of the markers of excellence demonstrated by ϲʿ’s that earned these distinctions are:
- High impact practices – students are immersed in opportunities that foster academic excellence and personal growth, including living & learning communities, first-year core curriculum classes, internships, as well as capstone courses and projects
- Faculty excellence – faculty members have received awards and peer recognition for their expertise and research contributions
- Integrated career exploration and preparation – career services collaborate with academic departments to integrate career planning in the classroom, and students receive personalized career guidance throughout their academic journey
- Industry connections – students have ample opportunities to establish professional connections through internships and networking activities
- Return on investment – students join a community with a long history of positive outcomes after graduation and social mobility for alumni
“Recognitions like these highlight the qualities that make ϲʿ’s a great place for students to learn and grow,” said Patty Lemon, dean of admissions and enrollment. “From affordability to career development, these awards demonstrate ϲʿ’s focus on our students’ success during and after college.”
ϲʿ’s accolades underscore its continuous efforts to foster an enriching learning environment that prepares students for success in their careers and communities. For more information about the University’s College of Distinction awards and its commitment to excellence in higher education, please visit the University's At-a-glance page or contact the Office of Marketing and Communications.
About ϲʿ:
ϲʿ is an independent coeducational university, with undergraduate and graduate offerings, located on a wooded campus of more than 380 acres in Lacey, Washington. Established in 1895 by the Catholic Order of Saint Benedict, the University is one of 13 Benedictine colleges and universities in the United States and Canada, and the only one west of the Rocky Mountains. ϲʿ empowers students to pursue a lifetime of learning and accomplishment through its 31 majors, 11 master’s programs, one doctorate program and seven certificate programs spanning the arts and sciences, business, counseling, education, engineering, nursing, and leadership. ϲʿ’s welcomes more than 1,300 undergraduate students and 250 graduate students from many ethnic and religious backgrounds to its Lacey campus, and more students to its extended campus located at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
About Colleges of Distinction:
Since 2000, Colleges of Distinction has been committed to recognizing schools across the United States for their exceptional contributions to higher education. Member institutions within the Colleges of Distinction consortium distinguish themselves through their unwavering focus on providing an outstanding undergraduate experience. Their website offers dynamic college profiles, customized tools, and valuable resources for students, parents, and high school counselors. For more information and to discover how to become a College of Distinction, visit .
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