Last year, Chaminade won the 2007 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll — the highest recognition achievable for service-learning institutions. With this year’s honor, the Catholic university reaffirms its distinction as a great higher education institution.

Unlike traditional numeric-based college guidebooks, the Colleges of Distinction recognizes students’ unique interests, realizing what may be the “best” college for one student, may be vastly different for another.

About 40 colleges in each of six U.S. regions met the four criteria that make a college exceptional: engaged students, great teaching, vibrant communities, and successful outcomes.

“The schools in this group are some of the very best in the country,” said Wesley L. Creel, president and founder of Colleges of Distinction.

“Some are household names, some are ‘hidden in plain sight.’ What they all share is that they are great places to get an education,” he said.

To be considered to be a College of Distinction, the schools must go through an application process, be nationally recognized by education professionals, employ outstanding teachers, have an active campus with opportunities for personal development, and be highly valued by employers.

The Colleges of Distinction’s review board is comprised of academicians, guidance counselors and parents.

“Chaminade is a small university with a big heart and many willing hands,” said Joy Bouey, Chaminade’s dean of enrollment management.

“We have made it our mission to graduate students who are well-prepared for successful careers and have a commitment to leadership through service,” she said.

Visit www.collegesofdistinc tion.com to learn about featured schools, including Chaminade.

Chaminade University offers programs of study in the liberal arts with day, evening, online and accelerated courses. The main campus is at 3140 Waialae Avenue in Honolulu, with 10 satellite locations around Oahu. For more information, visit www.chaminade.edu or call (808) 735-4711.