Lake Superior College Wins Desire2Excel Award
Virtual Campus Recognized for Partnerships with Grandma’s Marathon and the American Birkebeiner
Lake Superior College has received a Desire2Excel award for its partnerships with Grandma’s Marathon and the American Birkebeiner, two of the region’s most popular and prestigious sporting events. The honor was announced at the 2007 National Desire2Learn (D2L) Users Conference, which was held July 9 through 11.
Desire2Excel awards recognize leading-edge efforts in online learning. They are given in three categories: Teaching and Learning; Programs; and Community Service. LSC was selected for the Community Service Award. A fourth award, the People’s Choice, was determined by a vote of the conference participants following presentations of the category winners. The LSC entry also won the People’s Choice Award.
“Our online classes, our volunteer teams, and our community involvement combined to earn this award for the college,”? Barry Dahl, Lake Superior College’s vice president of technology and the virtual campus, explained.
LSC was recognized for its development of online training programs for Grandma’s Marathon, a world-ranked road race that attracts 9,000 participants annually, and the American Birkebeiner, North America’s largest cross country ski race. In addition to providing credit and non-credit race preparation courses, LSC sponsors the events and organizes volunteer teams to support race day activities.
“We are fortunate to have great partners,”? said Dahl. “Grandma’s and the Birkie have been supportive of our educational efforts and have provided great exposure for our Virtual Campus.”?
In addition to recognition, the college received a $500 cash prize from the conference. The money will be added to an endowed scholarship fund for online learners managed by the Lake Superior College Foundation.
Desire2Learn is a provider of online learning environments, with corporate, K-12 school district and higher education clients, including the University of Wisconsin System and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. The 2007 User conference was held in Duluth/Superior and was hosted by Lake Superior College and the University of Wisconsin-Superior. More than 500 educators and 50 D2L staff members attended the conference.