Monday, August 1, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Indiana State House
200 West Washington Street
Indianapolis, IN 

Join us as we celebrate Distance Education Week in Indiana, August 1–5, 2005! A kick-off event has been planned at the State House in Indianapolis from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, August 1. More than 300 key educational leaders—as well as state senators, representatives, and officials from state government agencies, public libraries, and community learning centers—have been invited to attend.

From 10:30 to 11 a.m., speakers including Indiana State University President Lloyd Benjamin, Senator David Ford, and Dr. Suellen Reed will briefly address those in attendance. Lieutenant Governor Becky Skillman will also offer brief remarks and present an official proclamation recognizing the important contributions of distance education. A reception will immediately follow.

A number of higher education institutions, community learning centers, and other organizations will showcase their distance education programs in an exhibit area in the North Atrium from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. They include:

• Indiana Wesleyan
• Purdue University’s community learning centers
• Indiana State University
• South Central Educational Association (SCEA)
• College Cooperative Southeast (CCS)
• University of Southern Indiana University
• Ripley County Learning Network (Indiana Virtual Academy)
• Purdue University Division of  Continuing Education
• Indiana University School of Continuing Education
• Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana
• Indiana College Network
• Ball State University
• Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)
• Indiana University School of Nursing
• Walker Career Center
• The Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Humanities
• Taylor University
• Vincennes University
• Hendricks College Network
• Learning Network of Clinton County

Distance education addresses critical needs, including workforce shortages and increasing the supply of college-educated workers to keep Indiana competitive in a global economy. It also delivers high-quality educational offerings to Hoosiers of all ages, especially the large pool of working adults without college educations and those in need of job retraining.

In Indiana, distance education accounted for nearly $40 million in tuition and other revenue last year. And while distance enrollments in other states are hitting a plateau, Indiana’s numbers grew to 104,000 in 2003-04.

To RSVP for the August 1 event, or for more information about distance education in Indiana, please contact:

Susan Sullivan
Communications manager
714 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46202
Phone: 317.263.8849
Fax: 317.263.8831
E-mail