January 13, 2004

For more information, contact:
Charlotte Stratton, Sr. Dir., Communications
617.357.9620, ext. 125

Connecticut Distance Learning Consortium to be honored with New England
Higher Education Excellence Award

BOSTON — The Connecticut Distance Learning Consortium (CTDLC) is among the recipients
of the 2004 New England Higher Education Excellence Awards, announced today by the New
England Board of Higher Education (NEBHE).

The Connecticut Distance Learning Consortium is a six-year-old state-funded institution that
currently supports 46 institutions in their distance learning efforts.

The CTDLC provides much of the services required by educational institutions and businesses
developing e-learning -- either online or as distributed learning.

CTDLC’s services include multiple course delivery platforms, instructional design, faculty
development, web application development, a seven-day help desk, e-commerce, student
services and learning assessment.

The CTDLC helps its members and clients provide high-quality instructional environments
without high-priced investments. In addition to its educational activities, the CTDLC provides
technical services to both the nonprofit and for-profit sectors.

Connecticut Commissioner of Higher Education and NEBHE delegate Valerie F. Lewis
commented: “The consortium truly deserves this honor for its work in keeping Connecticut at the
forefront of innovations in distance learning.”

NEBHE’s mission is to promote greater educational opportunity for residents of New England.

Each year, NEBHE presents three regional awards to individuals and organizations that have
shown exceptional leadership in behalf of higher education and the advancement of educational
opportunity. The organization also presents six merit awards to honor the innovative work of
organizations, institutions or individuals in each New England state.

The awards ceremony will take place on Feb. 27, 2004 at Boston’s Fairmont Copley Plaza.

Following is a roster of 2004 Award Recipients.

Regional Higher Education Excellence Awards:

Individual: Former U.S. Senator Claiborne Pell
Organization: Changing Lives Through Literature (a program developed by a University of
Massachusetts Dartmouth English professor and district court officials in which offenders read
and discuss important novels)

Walter R. Peterson Award for Excellence in support of Education and Leadership in
Public Policy

Former Gov. Jeanne Shaheen

New England Higher Education Merit Awards Recipients:

Connecticut: Connecticut Distance Learning Consortium
Maine: Habib J. Dagher, Professor, University of Maine
Massachusetts: Andrew Scibelli, President, Springfield Technical Community College
New Hampshire: U.S. Senator Judd Gregg
Rhode Island: Rhode Island Children’s Crusade
Vermont: University of Vermont

Additional information about NEBHE’s New England Higher Education Excellence Awards is
available online at http://www.nebhe.org/awards2004.

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NEBHE is a nonprofit, congressionally authorized agency whose mission is to promote greater
educational opportunities and services for the residents of New England. NEBHE programs are
principally focused on the relationship between New England higher education and regional
economic development.