The National University Technology Network, NUTN, was a networking and professional development organization for innovative leaders in the advancement of teaching and learning.
NUTN was incorporated into WCET on September 1, 2018. This page houses the historical records of all NUTN awards given to outstanding higher education leaders and organizations.
The content below is an archive of the NUTN awards page. These awards are no longer offered.
NUTN’s global awards program recognized significant contributions, innovation, and leadership by individuals and organizations. These awards were given to those advancing applications of technology to teaching and learning in higher education.
The highest individual honor given by the NUTN Advisory Board was the Distinguished Service Award, given to an individual or group of individuals of national prominence, who may come from other fields of endeavor and whose work has significantly contributed to our dynamic field.
Awards/Categories
- NUTN Research & Scholarship Award
- Distance Education Innovation Award
- Distinguished Service Award
- Institutional Achievement
- J.O. Grantham Leadership Award
- Nofflet Williams Service Award
- Shirley Davis Award for Excellence in Blended Learning
- Learner Recognition Award
Award Recipients
****Each award is shown by the year awarded and the location of the NUTN meeting where the award was given, followed by the recipients.
NUTN Research & Scholarship Award
The NUTN Research and Scholarship Award recognizes an individual or multiple individuals who have engaged in significant new research with implications for the field of distance learning and the use of technology as a delivery mechanism in higher education.
2017 – San Antonio, TX
Charles Hodges & Rachel Harris
“Using Google Tools for Online Coursework: Student Perceptions”
2016 – Clearwater Beach, FL
Recipient: University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
“Using U-Pace Instruction to Improve the Academic Performance of Economically Disadvantaged Undergraduates”
Authors: Dr. Raymond Fleming, Ms. Leah Stoiber, Ms. Heidi Pfeiffer, Ms. Sarah Kienzler, Mr. Ryan Fleming, Ms. Laura Pedrick, Dr. Dylan Barth, and Dr. Diane Reddy.
Finalists:
“The Impact of Previous Online Course Experience on Students’ Perceptions of Quality”
Authors: Emily Hixon and Casimir Barczyk, Purdue University Calumet, Penny Ralston-Berg, Penn State World Campus, Janet Buckenmeyer, Armstrong State University
“In Search of Quality: Using Quality Matters to Analyze the Quality of Massive, Open, Online Courses (MOOCs)”
Authors: Patrick R. Lowenthal, Boise State University and Charles B. Hodges, Georgia Southern University
2015 – Savannah, GA: This year, for the first time, we have a tie in this category.
Dr. Kevin Bell, Northeastern University
“Online 3.0 – The Rise of the Gamer Educator: The Potential Role of Gamification in Online Education”
Boise State University
“Student Perceptions of Online Learning: An Analysis of Online Course Evaluation”
Authors: Patrick Lowenthal, Christine Bower, Ken-Zen Chen
2014 – San Antonio, TX
Dr. Bethany Simunich, Kent State University,
“The Impact of Findability on Student Motivation, Self-Efficacy, and Perceptions of Online Course Quality”
Finalist:
Dr. Wu He, ODU
“Examining students’ online interaction in a live video streaming environment using data mining and text mining.”
2013 – Albuquerque, NM
Melissa Layne, Phil Ice, and Liz Wallace, American Public University System (APUS)
“Measuring Students Perception of Teaching Presence in an Online Environment”
Finalists:
Diane Reddy, Ray Fleming, Laura Pedrick, Danielle Jirovec, Heidi Pfeiffer, Katie Ports, Jessica Barnack-Tavlaris, Alicia Helion, and Rodney Swain,
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee,
“U-Pace Instruction: Improving Student Success”
2012 – Kansas City, MO
Dr. Constance Wanstreet & David S. Stein, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH,
“Presence Over Time in Synchronous Communities of Inquiry”
Honorable Mention: James A.Wallis, St. Petersburg, FL. University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee,
“A Phenomenological, Evaluative Approach to Developing Ecology Virtual Field Trips for Undergraduate, Non-Major College Students”
2011 – Fort Worth, TX
Dr. Rebecca Van De Vord, Washington State University
“Presence Over Time in Synchronous Communities of Inquiry”
2010 – Colorado Springs, CO
Dr. M’hammed Abdous and Dr. Wu He, Old Dominion University
“Using Text Mining to Uncover Students’ Technology-related Problems in Live Video Streaming”
2009 – Saratoga Springs, NY
Gary Brown, Theron Desrosier, Nils Peterson, Meriem Chida and Randy Lagier, Washington State University: The Center for Teaching, Learning, & Technology,
“Harvesting Feedback, Accountability & Community”
2008 – Park City, UT
Gary Brown, Yoon Jung Cho and Ashley Atter-Kranov, Washington State University,
“Faculty Teaching Beliefs, ePortfolios, and Web 2.0 at the Crossroads”
2007 – Philadelphia, PA
Joan Anderson, Gary Brown and Stephen Spaeth, Washington State University
“Online Student Evaluations and Response Rates Reconsidered”
2006 – Minneapolis, MN
Gail Derrick, Regent University
“An Exploration of Attitudinal and Situational Factors Related to Intrinsic Motivation and Autonomy in Teacher Education Students”
Distance Education Innovation Award
This award recognizes an individual or group that has developed an innovative program or practice that contributes to the field of distance education, in the context of a new or ongoing program, student or support services, pedagogy, faculty development and support or technology.
2017 – San Antonio, TX
Recipient:
Stream It, Dallas County Community College District
2016 – Clearwater Beach, FL
Recipients:
Member Division: Open SUNY Center for Online Teaching Excellence
Open Division: University of South Florida
Member Division Finalists:
Master of Science in Data Analytics (MSDA), University of Maryland University College,
Dr. Kaye Shelton, Lamar University
2015 – Savannah, GA
Member Division Winners (Tie):
Fort Hays State University, College of Education & Technology (COET)
World Campus Learning Design, WPSU Penn State, The Department of Spanish, Italian, and Portugese
Finalist:
Clemson University, Clemson Online
Open Division Winner:
Colorado Technical University
Finalist:
University of South Florida
2014 – San Antonio, TX
Member Division:
Dr. Brian Worden, Capella University, Competency Based Education Program
Finalist:
Excelsior College OWL Team, Excelsior College, ESL Writing Online: OWL Initiative
Non-Member Division:
Stacey Utley-Bernhard, Frostburg State University, Summer Online Freshman Initiative
Finalist:
Dr. David Stein, The Ohio State University, Bootcamp for Beginning Online Instructors
2013 – Albuquerque, NM
NUTN Member Division:
Excelsior College, ESL WOW at Excelsior College: “A Writing Online Workshop for ESL Writers”
Finalists:
Memorial University, Newfoundland & Labrador, The CONNECT Program
Michigan State University, AgShare: Creating Open Resources That Make a Difference
Lone Star College, Lone Star College Online
Open Academic Division:
WICHE, The Predictive Analytics Reporting (PAR) Framework
Finalists:
University of California – Irvine, UCI Open Chemistry
Northern Arizona University – Personalized Learning
2012 – Kansas City, MO
NUTN Member Division:
Michigan State University, E. Lansing, MI: “MetroAgOPEN Online Course”
Penn State World Campus, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, “Utilizing Web 2.0 Technologies to Build a Dynamic Community of Penn Staters Worldwide”
Honorable Mention:
Savannah College of Art and Design, Atlanta, GA, “Online Course Design & Multimedia Components”
Thomas Edison Stat College, Trenton, NJ, “CloudCre8 – Fluid Course Design”
Open Academic Division:
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, “U-Pace: Advancing the Practice of Distance Education”
Honorable Mention:
American Military University/American Public University, Manassas, VA, “American Public University System Library Guides: Doppler Shift Project”
Jogi Vedavati, “By the Students – For the Students”
Northeastern University Online, Boston, MA, “Creating a Culture of Quality in Online Education”
Corporate Division – Honorable Mention:
Hands-on Labs, Englewood, CO, “LabPaq”
2011 – Ft. Worth, TX
Distance Education, Learning and Teaching Support (DELTS), Memorial University, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada: “The Miawpukek First Nations Heritage Project”
Florida Distance Learning Consortium, Tallahassee, FL: “Orange Grave Texts Plus: Providing Affordable, Adaptable and Accessible Open Textbooks to Faculty and Students”
University of California, Irvine: “OpenCourseWare”
Thomas Edison State College, Trenton, NJ: “FlashTrack – Education on the Move”
Honorable Mention:
Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada: “High Park Tour with Sam Benvie”
Massey University, New Zealand: “A Student Success Framework: Beyond the Distance Retention Goulash”
Dr. Irena Bojanova and Les Pang, University of Maryland University College (UMUC), Adelphi, MD: “Integration of Virtual Worlds, Social Networks, and Cloud Computing for the Next Generation Learning Platform”
Dr. Frank Vander Valk, State University of New York (SUNY), Albany, NY
2010 – Colorado Springs, CO
Liz Anderson, Capella University, Minneapolis, MN: “Next Generation Learning: New Models for Course Personalization and Relationship Building”
David Shupe, eLumen Collaborative, Saint Paul, MN: “eLumen: A Truly Academic Approach to Assessing Learning Outcomes”
Honorable Mention:
Naza Djafarova, The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education, Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada: “Lake Devo Online Role Play Application”
2009 – Saratoga Springs, NY
Alexandra M. Pickett, Associate Director, SUNY Learning Network (SLN): Online Teaching Self-Assessment Survey for Experienced Online Faculty
2008 – Park City, UT
Weber State University: Jo Ellen Jonsson, WSU Online: Master Online Teacher Certification Program
2007 – Philadelphia, PA
The University of Michigan College of Engineering & General Motors Technical Education Program
2006 – Minneapolis, MN
Distinguished Service Award
Each year, the NUTN Advisory Board selects one person to receive this highest award given. The honoree will be invited to be our luncheon speaker on the second day of our conference. This award is sometimes described as the highest award the NUTN Board gives annually. From its inception in 1997, it is indeed a distinguished list.
2017 – San Antonio, TX
Recipient: Dr. Karen Swan, Professor of Educational Leadership and a Research Associate in the Center for Online Learning, Research, and Service (COLRS) at the University of Illinois Springfield (UIS)
2016 – Clearwater Beach, FL
Recipient: Dr. Javier Miyares, University of Maryland University College
2015 – Savannah, GA
Sir John Daniel, Distance Learning Pioneer, The UK Open University
2014 – San Antonio, TX
Dr. Candace Marie Thille, Director, Open Learning Initiative Graduate School of Education, Stanford University
2013 – Albuquerque, NM
Dr. Bruce N. Chaloux, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, Sloan Consortium, Southern Regional Education Board
2012 – Kansas City, MO
Dr. Linda Thor, Chancellor, Foothill-De Anza Community College District, Los Altos Hills, CA
2011 – Fort Worth, TX
Dr. Mark David Milliron, Deputy Director, Higher Education, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
2010 – Colorado Springs, CO
Dr. Dwight W. Allen, Eminent Scholar of Educational Reform, Emeritus, Old Dominion University
2009 – Saratoga Springs, NY
Elliot Masie, The Masie Center
2008 – Park City, UT
Gary Miller, Penn State World Campus
2007 – Philadelphia, PA
Chris Dede, Graduate School of Education/Futurist, Harvard University
2006 – Minneapolis, MN
Diane Oblinger, Vice President, Educause
2005 – San Francisco, CA
John Chambers, Chairman and CEO, Cisco Systems
2004 – Kennebunkport, ME
Dr. Carol Twigg, President and CEO, National Center for Academic Transformation
2003 – San Antonio, TX
Steve Crow, Executive Director, The Higher Learning Commission
2002 – Washington, DC
Mary Beth Peters, US Registrar of Copyrights, Library of Congress
2001 – Denver, CO
Lionel Baldwin, Founding President, National Technological University (NTU)
2000 – Toronto, ON
Dr. Sally Johnstone, Executive Director, WCET
1999 – Seattle, WA
Frank Mayadas, Program Director, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation
1998 – Newport, RI
Larry Irving, Jr. Assistant Secretary, US Department of Commerce and Director, National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)
1997 – Vail, CO
Michael Leavitt, Governor of Utah contributions to Western Governors University
Institutional Achievement
The NUTN Institution Achievement award recognizes an institutional member of the National University Technology Network (NUTN) for effective use of technology in teaching and learning and/or organizational administration (or administrative operations) that is exemplary, demonstrates leadership and commitment, and advances the field as an institutional model.
2017 – San Antonio, TX
Recipient: Colorado Technical University
2016 – Clearwater Beach, FL
Recipient: Herkimer College/SUNY
2015 – Savannah, GA
Open SUNY, The State University of New York
2014 – San Antonio, TX
Ann Marie Vaughan, The College of the North Atlantic
Finalist: Dr. Suzan Harkness, University of the District of Columbia
2013 – Albuquerque, NM
Virginia Tech, Virginia Polytechnic & State University
2012 – Kansas City, MO
eduKan, Great Bend, KS
Honorable mention:
Michigan State University, E. Lansing, MI and
Savannah College of Art and Design, Atlanta, GA
2011 – Fort Worth, TX
- Jan LeCroy Center, Dallas County Community College District, Dallas, TX
2010 – Colorado Springs, CO
Memorial University of Newfoundland, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
2009 – Saratoga Springs, NY
Washington State University
J.O. Grantham Leadership Award
The J. O. Grantham Leadership Award, named for the founder of NUTN, is given to a person who represents strong leadership in the field of distance learning and technology. This award is given to an individual who has demonstrated strong leadership qualities in the NUTN organization and in the field of educational technologies as a whole. Nominations and vote of the NUTN membership determine the recipient of the award. Only NUTN members are eligible for this award.
2016 – Clearwater Beach, FL
Recipient: Mark C. Halsey, University System of Maryland Hagerstown
2015 – Savannah, GA
John Sener, Sener Knowledge LLC
2014 – San Antonio, TX
Dr. Henry van Zyl, TESC
2013 – Albuquerque, NM
Dr. Mel Muchnik, Professor Emeritus, Governors State University
2012 – Kansas City, MO
Danella Soeka, Hands-on Labs, Englewood, CO and
Governors State University, Chicago, IL
2011 – Fort Worth, TX
Dr. Dana Offerman
2010 – Colorado Springs, CO
Gary Greenberg and
Patrick Pow
2009 – Saratoga Springs, NY
Kim Scalzo
2008 – Park City, UT
Janis Hill
2007 – Philadelphia, PA
Nancy Thompson
2006 – Minneapolis, MN
Dick Hezel
2005 – San Francisco, CA
Pam Quinn
2004 – Kennebunkport, ME
Elizabeth Craft
2003 – San Antonio, TX
Cynthia Elliot
2002 – Washington, DC
Edie Barnett and
Janis Hall
2001 – Denver, CO
Monica Pilkey
2000 – Toronto, Canada
Jeanne McGrath
1999 – Seattle, WA
Ted Christensen
Nofflet Williams Service Award
In 2001, the NUTN Advisory Board established the Nofflet Williams Service Award in honor of the contributions and memory of Dr. Nofflet Williams as a founding member. Dr. Williams provided service to hundreds of individuals in the area of distance education at the local, regional, and national levels.
This award recognizes an individual who exhibits, over a sustained period and in a consistent manner, the commitment to providing service to those in the field. It signifies the individual is acknowledged to be a contributor, a mentor, a do-er, and a leader of national and international note. Since the central core of NUTN is to provide service in the exchange of experience, practice and theory to all in the organization in a free manner, the award is doubly significant.
The Nofflet Williams Service Award is presented on an annual basis (as appropriate) by the NUTN Board to an individual who is seen as providing an outstanding example of service to the organization and to others in our field. All professionals in the field are eligible for this award regardless of NUTN membership.
2017 – San Antonio, TX
Russell Poulin, Director, Policy & Analysis, WCET
2016 – Clearwater Beach, FL
Recipients:
Dr. Deb Adair, Quality Matters
Dr. Kevin Bell, Western Sydney University
2015 – Savannah, GA
Alexandra Pickett, Director of the Open SUNY Center for Online Teaching Excellence
2014 – San Antonio, TX
Dr. Mike Offerman, Capella University
2013 – Albuquerque, NM
Dr. Karen Vignare, University of Maryland University College
2012 – Kansas City, MO
Julie Porosky Hamlin, Quality Matters & Maryland Online, Annapolis, MD
2011 – Fort Worth, TX
Dr. Chris Geith
2010 – Colorado Springs, CO
Ann Marie Vaughan
2009 – Saratoga Springs, NY
Joeann Humbert
Frank Mayadas
2008 – Park City, UT
Ted Christensen
2007 – Philadelphia, PA
Steve Crow
2006 – Minneapolis, MN
Monica Pilkey
2005 – San Francisco, CA
No Award Given.
2004 – Kennebunkport, ME
Pam Quinn
2003 – San Antonio, TX
Mel Muchnik
2002 – Washington, DC
Anne Raymond Savage
2001 – Denver, CO
Jerry Hargis (first recipient)
Shirley Davis Award
Partnerships between academic institutions and corporations (or other non-academic organizations) can be creative and powerful opportunities for advancing teaching and learning through the use of technology. They bring together technology-based resources, perspectives, and approaches that can uniquely and positively impact experiences and outcomes for students. This award recognizes such partnerships that have demonstrated impact from the collaboration and integration of perspectives and resources in an initiative or program.
2016 – Clearwater Beach, FL
Recipient: Jacksonville State University & The NROC Project Collaboration
2014 – San Antonio, TX
Mr. Steven R. Crawford, Arizona State University, “The Fab Tech Workshop”
2013 – Albuquerque, NM
College of North Atlantic, Newfoundland, Labrador, & Qatar. “Blended Delivery of Apprenticeship Training: Bringing Learners Together Through Technology”
Finalists:
Dr. Linda Yarrow, Kansas State University and
Michigan State University, Equine Business Network
2012 – Kansas City, MO
Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, Penn State Video Learning Network
Honorable Mention:
Division of Continuing Education, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, “Comparative Food and Agriculture Systems”
Florida State University at Jacksonville, Jacksonville, FL, “Using Anchored Instruction and Game-Based Learning in a Cybersecurity Course”
2011 – Fort Worth, TX
The United States Coast Guard, (PSSU Honolulu Learning Center, Barber’s Point Air Station) in partnership with the Wayland Baptist University campus in Aiea, Hawaii
Honorable Mention:
Temple University and Catherine C. Schifter, Ph.D., “Introduction to Research Method and Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods”
2010 – Colorado Springs, CO
Dr. Ruth Farber, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA: “National and International Models Serving People with Disabilities: Teaching Occupational Therapy Theory Using Distance Education”
2009 – Saratoga Springs, NY
Michigan State University: Gwyn Heyboer, Christine Skelly, Karen Vignare & Kathleen Anderson: My Horse University & Extension HorseQuest
2008 – Park City, UT
Capella University: Susan Perry, Nick White
2007 – Philadelphia, PA
Washington State University: Cheryl Dhein, DVM MS, “Web Conferencing in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Washington State University”
2006 – Minneapolis, MN
STARLINK: “Connecting CATs and CoLTs: Techniques to Improve Student Learning”
Learner Recognition Award
The NUTN Student Recognition Award recognizes students whose use of distance learning has been both exemplary and impactful in providing opportunities for personal or professional advancement.
Students for the NUTN Student Recognition award will be nominated by local or host institutions to the annual NUTN event (conference/summit). The nominating party should submit a brief synopsis of the student’s distance learning experiences, and address the three criteria listed below. Selected students will be invited to attend the NUTN annual event with a complimentary registration to receive their recognition award.
2017 – San Antonio, TX
Recipients:
Nathan Smit, Kansas State University
Kathleen Gervase, University of Maryland, University College
2016 – Clearwater Beach, FL
Recipient: John Cook, University of Maryland University College
2015 – Savannah, GA
Alicia Fernandez, The State University of New York
2014 – San Antonio, TX
Jacklyn Thompson, UMUC
Ms. Jody Burke, Memorial University
2013 – Albuquerque, NM
Molly Frendo, Michigan State University
Rebecca Anderson, College of North Atlantic
Adam Jennings, University of Maryland University College
2012 – Kansas City, MO
Brent Chyna, University of Maryland University College Adelphi, MD
Glori Hinck, Boise State University, Boise, ID
Honorable Mention:
Sheryl Davis, Savannah College of Art and Design
Deborah Kane, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
Alfred P. Orth, US Coast Guard Learning Center, Honolulu, HI & St. Leo University, St. Leo, FL
2011 – Fort Worth, TX
Andrew Bedley, Cedar Valley Community College
Leslie Sussan, The University of Maryland University College
2010 – Colorado Springs, CO
Mariana Faiai, Fort Hays State University, Hays, KS
Brian Mackes, Pikes Peak Community College, Colorado Springs, CO