The title card reads "Western Governors Conference from Omaha, Nebraska." Chaired by Nebraska Governor Ben Nelson, and featuring presentations from Utah Governor Mike Leavitt, Colorado Governor Roy Romer, and Wyoming Governor Jim Geringer. The Memorandum of Understanding that founded WGU is signed at the end of this video. The "Western Governors University, A Proposed Implementation Plan" is discussed thoroughly.
The document that committed the founding governors to the creation of Western Governors University. The first three pages of this PDF are the original Draft Memorandum of Understanding Regarding the Western Governors University. Not all governors/states that wanted to participate in the Western Governors University were able to attend the June 24, 1996 meeting. So, other governors signed at later dates. The fourth page of this PDF is a reproduction of the third page, and it was signed by Marc Racicot, Governor of the State of Montana, on July 8, 1996. The final page of this PDF has four additional signatures. Benjamin Cayetano, Governor of the State of Hawaii, signed July 17, 1996. Bob Miller, Governor of the State of Nevada, signed on August 20, 1996. Carl Gutierrez, Governor of the Territory of Guam, signed on April 1, 1997. And Tony Knowles, Governor of the State of Alaska, signed on April 17, 1997. These last three signatures were cut out and taped to this document.
Proposed implementation plan for the Western Governors University presented on the same day that the "Draft Memorandum of Understanding Regarding the Western Governors University" was signed.
Articles of Incorporation for Western Governors University. Utah Governor Michael O. Leavitt, Colorado Governor Roy Romer, and Max A. Farbman signed this document. The signing of this document is what formally launched the university.
Photograph taken at the Wednesday, September 2, 1998 opening of WGU. Left to Right: Northern Arizona University President Dr. Clara Lovett, WGU Chief Academic Officer Dr. Bob Albrecht, WGU Chief Executive Officer Dr. Jeff Livingston, 3Com Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Eric Benhamou, Colorado Governor Roy Romer and Utah Governor Mike Leavitt symbolically launch WGU with a click of a mouse.
Excerpts from "Public Law 105-244, 105th Congress, An Act, To extend the authorization of programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965, and for other purposes." This document has been specifically edited to highlight the sections where "Distance Education Demonstration Programs" and "Western Governors University" are mentioned. This document is sometimes referred to as the "Reauthorization of the Higher Education Act," or the "1998 Amendments to the Higher Education Act of 1965" or the "Higher Education Reauthorization Act of 1998."
The Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council
Letter from Michael P. Lambert of the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC). The meeting was held on June 2, 2001.
The Distance Education and Training Council (DETC)
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.
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.
Press release from the U.S. Department of Education's U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings announcing the formation of the Secretary of Education's Commission on the Future of Higher Education. WGU President Robert Mendenhall served as a member of the 19-member commission.
Letter from the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense, John M. Molino expressing appreciation for WGU's "...commitment to adjust its program delivery so that WGU students can qualify for military tuition assistance (TA)."
Press release announcing the launch of the WGU College of Health Professions. Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) singed on as the first corporate partner.
From the Foreword: This book about WGU's opening decade is, of course, the story of how the university has implemented its founders' visions. It is also, however, the story of an innovation, how that innovation arose and unfolded, its mistakes and failures, what it learned from them, and how ultimately it prevailed. Innovation is never easy, perhaps especially educational innovation is never easy. Nine hundred years of tradition lean against it. In countless ways the code of right practice, established by generations of bureaucracy and enforced by all the conventional structures of modern educational life - from the definition of terms and credits to financial aid regulations - line up to force compliance with accepted orthodoxy. That WGU survived at all is extraordinary. That it remained true to the heart of its mission, created a unique learning model, earned multiple accreditations, and today serves more than seven thousand enrolled students is a story worth telling. This is it.
Article from "Time" magazine describing WGU. The entire title of this article is "Go Western, Young Man. The best relatively cheap university you've never hear of. (Hint: it's only online)."
Letter from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) granting "accreditation of the baccalaureate degree program in nursing and master's degree program in nursing at Western Governors University." This letter is dated May 21, 2009 but the accreditation is retroactive to the November 19, 2008 CCNE site visit of WGU.
Reporter Tom Costello of "NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams" takes a close look at WGU as a flexible, cost-effective, accredited university for working adults who want to return to college to improve their employability. The segment features two WGU graduates, Angie Gonzalez and Scott Saunders, who realized their dreams.
Video from "Utah Business" magazine celebrating WGU President, Robert Mendenhall's accomplishments and awarding Mendenhall title of 2010 CEO of the Year.
Press release from WGU describing an award bestowed upon WGU President Dr. Robert W. Mendenhall by the United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA). The award is for Outstanding Leadership by an Individual in the Field of Distance Learning.
Executive Order 10-04 from the state of Indiana. The Governor of Indiana, Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. signed this executive order. This document, in conjunction with the "Addendum between the State of Indiana and the Western Governors University," establishes WGU Indiana.
Governor Mitch Daniels establishes WGU Indiana, a partnership between the state and Western Governors University aimed at expanding access to higher education for Hoosiers and increasing the percentage of the state's adult population with education beyond high school.
Video profile of Dr. Robert Mendenhall, a 2010 Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize in Education winner. Mendenhall established Western Governors University (WGU), an innovative online university that offers the flexibility, accessibility and affordability to make college degrees widely attainable. WGU has 20,000 students in all 50 states, and continues to grow more than 30 percent annually. WGU's competency-based degrees allow students to earn degrees by demonstrating competency -- what they know and can do -- rather than by accumulating a certain number of credit or clock hours.
The average student works full time and is 36 years old. More than 80 percent are classified as underserved. Undergraduate tuition is less than $5,800 per year, and has increased by only $200 in the past four years. WGU was founded and is supported by 19 governors as well as more than 20 leading corporations and foundations.
Display copy of Washington State House Bill 1822 which establishes WGU Washington. The bill was passed by the Washington State House on February 26, 2011; the Washington State Senate on April 8, 2011; signed by Washington State Governor Christine Gregoire on April 22, 2011; and filed in the Washington State Office of Secretary of State on April 22, 2011.
On August 2, 2011, Texas Governor Rick Perry issues Executive Order RP 75. With the support of Higher Education Chairs Senator Judith Zaffirini and Representative Dan Branch, WGU Texas was launched. This video was played at the WGU Texas launch event.
Addendum to the 1997 "Memorandum of Understanding Regarding the Western Governors University" and the State of Texas. Texas Governor, Rick Perry and WGU President Robert Mendenhall signed this document. This document, in conjunction with the "Executive Order by the Governor of the State of Texas, Executive Order RP 75," establishes WGU Texas.
Executive Order RP 75 from the state of Texas. The Governor of Texas, Rick Perry signed this executive order. This document, in conjunction with the "Addendum to Memorandum of Understanding between the State of Texas and Western Governors University," establishes WGU Texas.
WGU President Dr. Robert W. Mendenhall testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions on February 2, 2012 at a hearing on improving college affordability in the United States.
Memorandum of Understanding between the State of Missouri and WGU. This document, in conjunction with Executive Order 13-04 from the State of Missouri, establishes WGU Missouri.
Missouri Governor Jay Nixon and Western Governors University President Bob Mendenhall introduce the state to WGU Missouri in this February 15, 2013, news conference in Kansas City. WGU Missouri is a new, state-based online university offering more than 50 high-quality accredited degree programs in the fields of business, information technology, teacher education, and health professions (including nursing).
Executive Order 13-04, signed by Missouri Governor, Jeremiah W. (Jay) Nixon. Missouri Secretary of State, Jason Kander, also signed this executive order. This document, in conjunction with the Memorandum of Understanding between the State of Missouri and Western Governors University, establishes WGU Missouri.
Memorandum of Understanding establishing WGU Tennessee. Governor of the State of Tennessee, Bill Haslam and President of WGU, Robert Mendenhall signed this document.
On July 8, 2013 Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam and WGU President Robert Mendenhall signed a Memorandum of Understanding creating WGU Tennessee. This is a video of clips from the event.
Addendum to the original 1996 "Western Governors University Memorandum of Understanding." These documents, in conjunction with the 2015 "State of Nevada, Executive Department, A Proclamation by the Governor," establishes WGU Nevada.
Proclamation from the State of Nevada, signed by the Governor of the State of Nevada, Brian Sandoval. This document, in conjunction with the original 1996 "Western Governors University Memorandum of Understanding," and the 2015 "Addendum to Memorandum of Understanding between the State of Nevada and Western Governors University," establishes WGU Nevada.
The state of Nevada and Western Governors University have partnered to created WGU Nevada, a nonprofit, online, competency-based university designed to meet the higher-education needs of busy working adults who need a bachelor's or master's degree to advance their careers and improve their lives and the lives of their families.
At the North Carolina State Capitol on Thursday, October 5, 2017, Lt. Governor Dan Forest announced a partnership between nationally recognized, non-profit Western Governors University (WGU) and the state of North Carolina to establish WGU North Carolina. Here is a recap of the launch event.
Ohio Governor John Kasich announces a promising new partnership that establishes WGU Ohio, an online, competency-based university aimed at expanding access to higher education to Ohioans. WGU Ohio offers accredited bachelor’s and master’s degrees in four high-demand career fields critical to Ohio’s economy: business, K-12 teacher education, information technology, and health professions, including nursing.