Expert from the conference report pertaining to WGU. WGU was appropriated $1,300,000 and $500,000 and $500,000. Complete text of the title page: "108th Congress, 1st Session, House of Representatives, Report 108-10, Making Further Continuing Appropriations for the Fiscal Year 2003, and for Other Purposes, Conference Report to Accompany H.J. Res. 2, February 13 (legislative day, February 13), 2003. - Ordered to be printed, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington: 2003, 84-817."
Letter from the InterRegional Accrediting Committee (IRAC) granting WGU accreditation. While the letter is dated February 24, 2003, accreditation of WGU was effective February 13, 2003.
United States Department of Education press release announcing the launch of the WGU Teachers College. Complete headline reads "Online Teachers College Open for Business, Western Governor's University launches new teacher preparation program with U. S. Education Dept. grant; Scholarships available."
Press conference announcing the launch of the WGU Teachers College. U.S. Secretary of Education, Rodney "Rod" Paige began the press conference. Secretary Paige was followed by U.S. Deputy Secretary Bill Hansen; Utah Governor Michael Leavitt; WGU President Robert Mendenhall; U.S. Senator from Utah, Bob Bennett; U.S. Senator from Nebraska, Ben Nelson; and U.S. House of Representatives Member from Utah's 3rd District, Chris Cannon.
A dissertation submitted to the faculty of Brigham Young University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Instructional Psychology and Technology David O. McKay School of Education Brigham Young University, May 2003. Abstract: Internet-based distance education is becoming an increasingly accepted and important part of U.S. higher education, creating a unique opportunity to explore new models of effective education that take advantage of the unique strengths of the technology. This dissertation documents a new model for Internet-based distance education, and identifies the underlying principles of effective education incorporated into that model. The model has been developed over the last four years in the form of a new university, Western Governors University (WGU), and has been modified and refined through a program of action research. The key underlying principles of the model include an emphasis on individualizing learning, made possible by a focus on measuring competencies, facilitated by modular and interactive courseware, and strengthened by a program of active mentoring. The advantages of learning opportunities independent of time and place are explained, along with the importance of creating learning communities and pacing elements to support and encourage student progress and completion. Other principles include the concepts behind institutional sharing of courses and other learning resources, and the advantages in online education of differentiating and specializing faculty roles. Finally, principles of measurement and evaluation are applied to both assessment of student learning, and to an institutional program for continuous improvement. The presentation of the model and principles in this dissertation is designed to be helpful to all those with an interest in improving the quality of online distance-delivered higher education.
On September 27, 2003 Utah Governor Michael Leavitt was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters by WGU President Robert Mendenhall. This WGU Commencement was held at the Governor's Mansion in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Article from the "Las Vegas Sun" discussing the election of Nevada Governor Kenny Guinn as the co-chairman of WGU. New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson will serve as co-chairman of WGU.
Article from "Government Technology" describing the election of Nevada Governor Kenny Guinn and New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson as co-chairs of WGU. They replace Washington Governor Gary Locke and Utah Governor Michael Leavitt.
Expert from the conference report pertaining to WGU. WGU was appropriated $200,000. Complete text of the title page: "108th Congress, 1st Session, House of Representatives, Report 108-401, Making Appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies for the Fiscal Year Ending September 30, 2004, and for Other Purposes, Conference Report to Accompany H.R. 2673, November 25, 2003. - Ordered to be printed, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington: 2003, 90-637."
Article from "The Salt Lake Tribune" describing the launch of five new bachelor degree programs. These programs are degrees in finance, accounting, marketing, business management and professional business studies.
Promotional material from WGU, circa 2003. Video was produced by the National College Review. Video features (in order of appearance) WGU student Dawn Martin, WGU Provost Chip Johnstone, WGU President Bob Mendenhall, Utah Governor Mike Leavitt, WGU Student John Whitney, WGU Faculty Mentor Stacey Ludwig-Hardman, PhD, WGU Graduate Debra Austin, and Google CEO Eric Schmidt.