Barton’s Director of Distance Learning Earns Online Administration Award
For more information, contact Gene Kingslien, 785-784-6606.
June 17, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Story by: Linda Jerke
This award recognizes outstanding online learning program administrators who use the Pearson LearningStudio platform. The award is presented to administrators who exhibit superior student and instructor support practices; develop high-quality online education programs; promote online education to, and effective collaboration with, the traditional on-campus administrative environment; and use innovative tactics to further the development of the online education programs.
As part of this award recognition, Pearson makes a $1,000 donation in the recipient’s name to an existing scholarship fund at the recipient’s institution as designated by the recipient. Pearson has made the donation in Butler’s name to the Trooper Bill Scholarship Fund, a Barton academic scholarship for students at Fort Riley.
The Trooper Bill Scholarship is an automatic scholarship that is available to military dependents taking College Programs. They must be Kansas residents seeking a degree or certificate at Barton and have a 3.5 or higher overall grade point average. The scholarship is worth $100 per term ($300 annually) and it was established just two years ago.
Butler was nominated for the Pearson Excellence in Online Administration Award by Barton Fort Riley staff members who teach on Barton’s online learning website, www.bartonline.org. As administrator of this website, Butler has developed a collaborative work environment that includes diverse instructors from all over the country. He grew the program from non-existence into the most profitable and efficient department within the college. Butler leads by example, both in the classroom and online, with high-quality teaching techniques that have become the benchmark for effective instruction, his nominators stated.
“Butler understands the importance of continuous and never-ending improvement by educating faculty and staff about teaching techniques and best practices available with the online programs. He has developed courses for new faculty to assist integrating them into the online system and to use the tools available to maximum potential,” his nominators said.
Butler also spearheaded a Title III Grant, which provides staffing and resources to improve assessment of student learning, increase retention and improve courses by incorporating interactive technology.
Many students begin their academic careers at Barton’s Fort Riley location, an army installation in northeast Kansas. Barton allows these students to obtain excellent educational experience as they serve this country on deployments all over the world, including Afghanistan and Iraq. Many soldiers currently serving are now able to continue their education, when previously their education would have been put on hold.
“Butler’s past experience as an army officer is displayed every day in his character, commitment and vision as leader of Barton’s online community,” said his nominators for this award. “The success of Barton’s students, faculty and community continue to be strengthened as a result of Butler’s hard work, foresight and dedication.”
Wynn Butler
