MADISON, WISCONSIN, U.S. — The distance education program offered in partnership by the Grain Elevator and Processing Society (GEAPS) and Kansas State University (KSU) received the 2015 Celebration of Excellence Award for Innovative Noncredit Program on Oct. 21. The award, from the University Professional and Continuing Education Association’s Central Region, was presented at the association’s regional conference.

“This speaks to the hard work of our members,” said Doug Forst, GEAPS/KSU distance education committee chair.  “They have created educational programming that is focused, innovative and highly relevant to the grain industry professionals that we serve.”

In Madison, Wisconsin, U.S. to receive the award, Forst also credited Kansas State University.

“Our partnership continually works to deliver the highest-quality content in the best possible format, and this award shows that we are on the cutting edge of online, professional education,” he said. “It is truly an honor to receive this recognition.”

The GEAPS-KSU Distance Education Program offers more than 25 online courses for the grain handling and processing industries. More than 2,500 registrants from 30 countries have taken GEAPS/KSU courses since the program’s start in 2005.

The University Professional and Continuing Education Association considered several criteria for the award: cost -effectiveness, longevity, innovation, diversity, quality, and contribution to adult/continuing education. The organization is separated into five regions, and each region has an individual awards program.