USDLA 2007 Awards Presented for Excellence in Distance Learning for Individuals, Organizations and Companies Honoring their Outstanding Achievements Source: United States Distance Learning Association, May 9, 2007 Kansas City, MO (via PRWEB) May 9, 2007 -- The United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA -- www.usdla.org) presented its 2007 Distance Learning Awards in conjunction with the 20th Anniversary Conference in Kansas City, Missouri. Since 1987, USDLA has been the world's premier distance learning association. The USDLA Awards program honors outstanding individuals and organizations for excellence in the field distance learning, education and training. These prestigious Global Awards are presented annually to organizations and individuals engaged in the development and delivery of distance learning programs. Included in the recognition ceremony were awards for 21st Century Best Practice, Best Practice for Distance Learning Programming, Excellence in Distance Learning Teaching, Outstanding Leadership by an Individual, Hall of Fame and Eagle Awards. The USDLA Awards are closely followed by the distance learning industry. "As we celebrate our 20th Anniversary as a premier organization for the entire distance learning profession, we enjoy honoring some of the leaders in the industry," said Dr. John G. Flores, CEO of USDLA. "Each year these winners raise the bar and exceed best practice expectations for the industry as a whole and we are truly honored by their contributions to the distance learning industry." The USDLA Awards were created to acknowledge major accomplishments in distance learning and to highlight those distance learning instructors, programs, and professionals who have achieved and demonstrated extraordinary results through the use of online, videoconferencing, satellite and blended learning delivery technologies. In addition, this year's awardees will be listed in the July 2007 edition of "Distance Learning Today," a quarterly supplement in USA TODAY. "Distance learning is transforming the American educational landscape, through on-line technology, video conferencing systems, satellite delivery and other media," Flores said. "We expect this supplement to be an invaluable guide for millions of present and potential distance learners as well as a means for our awards winners, member institutions and corporate sponsors to reach them." For the 2007 Awards program, USDLA focused upon several major areas that exemplify the dynamic nature of distance learning. Please join us in honoring the following 2007 USDLA Award Winners, which include the following: Best Practices Awards for Distance Learning Programming Satellite, Video Conferencing & Blended Media Platinum BJ HomeSat Network-Space and Earth Science Gold BRP Technical Training Group-E-ssentials 4: Effective Troubleshooting Gold BJ LINC-Biology Silver Greenbush Interactive Distance Learning Network- Animal Adaptations Silver University of Arizona College of Medicine-Rural Faculty Development Fellowship Bronze BJ HomeSat Network-5th Grade English Bronze BJ HomeSat Network-1st Grade Spelling Bronze Mississippi State University Extension Service-Child Care: Early Learning Guidelines Bronze Arkansas Department of Education-Arkansas Distance Learning Center (ADE) Best Practices Awards for Distance Learning Teaching Video Conferencing - Pre K-12 Platinum Dr. Evelyn Nelson-School Board of Broward County, Florida Bronze Natalie Humphreys Office of Education - Arkansas School of Math and Science and Arts Best Practices Awards for Online Distance Learning Programming Online Technology ~ Higher Education Platinum Pepperdine University-Online Masters in Education Technology (OMET) Platinum Graceland University School of Education Online Graduate Faculty - Master of Education in Quality Schools Platinum Cambridge College-Master of Management "AdaptNet" Program Gold University of Southern California School of Social Work-Diagnosing with the DSM-IV-TR Gold UT TeleCampus - UT Arlington-The American Judicial System Gold University of North Carolina Greensboro-ECON 201 Silver California Lutheran University-Online MBA in Financial Planning Program Bronze University of Connecticut-Master of Science in Accounting Program Best Practices Awards for Online Distance Learning Programming Online Technology ~ Businesses and Corporations Platinum C2 Technologies, Inc.-U.S. Army Virtual Mobile Training Team Platinum TRC Interactive-BankTrainingOnline Gold KC Distance Learning, Inc.-Aventa Learning Online World Language Course Gold LSI Corporation-The Interactive Guide to the Simplicity Family of Products Gold GE Plastics-Lexan 101 Best Practices Awards for Distance Learning Teaching Online Online Technology ~ Education Platinum Celeste Fenton, Ph.D.-Hillsborough Community College Gold Gerald Kramer-Keystone National High School Gold Dr. Jeff W. Jones-University of North Carolina at Greensboro - History Dept. Gold Dr. Mary Jane Clerkin-Berkeley College Gold Dr. Rebekah K. Nix-UT TeleCampus and the University of Texas at Dallas 21st Century Awards Best Practices in Distance Learning Florida Virtual School-Pre K-12 Virtual High School-Pre K-12 UT TeleCampus - The University of Texas System-Higher Education Bellevue University-Higher Education University of Hawai'i - Manoa, College of Education-Higher Education Northern Arizona University Distance Learning-Higher Education PBS TeacherLine-Professional Development Education Giunti Labs North America-Business / Corporation Polycom, Inc.-Business / Corporation Outstanding Leadership by an Individual in the Field of Distance Learning Anne Jorritsma, GE Plastics Nishikant Sonwalkar, Cambridge College Lisa McClure, iQ Academies of Wisconsin Donald Dover, Washington State University Ruth Blankenbaker, Center for Interactive Learning USDLA 2007 Hall of Fame Michael A. Parmentier, Principal, Booz Allen Hamilton and Dr. Rodney L. Zent, Executive Director of Texas A&M University's Educational Broadcast Services were selected by the USDLA board of directors for elevation to the USDLA Hall of Fame. USDLA 2007 Eagle Award The Eagle Award was presented by USDLA to a nationally recognized public official that demonstrated unique leadership in distance learning. This year USDLA recognized Missouri Senator Christopher "Kit" Bond for his commitment to providing greater educational opportunities in his state by means of distance learning technology and especially his support of the Missouri School Boards' Association. Mr. Don Lake, USDLA board member and chair of the awards committee, noted that, "Once again this year's award winners represent many of the most innovative leaders in the field of distance learning." He continued, "We look forward to seeing how these leaders will inspire the 2008 award entries. About United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) The United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) is a non-profit association formed in 1987 and is located in Boston, Massachusetts. USDLA promotes the development and application of distance learning for education and training and serves the needs of the distance learning community by providing advocacy, information, networking and opportunity. Distance learning and training constituencies served include pre-k-12 education, higher and continuing education, home schooling as well as business, corporate, military, government and telehealth markets. The USDLA trademarked logo is the recognized worldwide symbol of dedicated professionals committed to the distance learning industry. http://www.usdla.org