Dale E. Dowden Award for Outstanding Student Services in Distance Education

Nomination Text for Camilla Lawson     

Describe the nominee's achievements and explain how the nominee fits each of the five selection criteria. Nominees will be rated on each criterion, so it's very important to address all five in your narrative. Please limit your response to 500 words or less.

2006 Nomination Text 1
When Camilla came to Continuing Education in 1999-2000 (after 20-plus years in Purdue's Office of the Registrar), there were two IPSE registrations; in 2004-05 the enrollment had grown to 3,000. While enrollment numbers have soared, her philosophy and actions still put the student first. Many times she has helped a student find an appropriate course so she/he could complete degree objectives. Although efforts such as this create significant, extra work for Camilla, it is done so with the sole purpose of assisting the student. As other originating institutions can attest, she has enrolled students in multiple institutions’ courses! After the first year the LC staff increased from 1 FTE (Camilla) to 1.75 FTE, in 2004 it grew an additional .50 FTE, and in the next several months staffing will increase another 1.0 FTE. Camilla is one of the founding members of IPSE, and is among those responsible for its success and recognition throughout higher education in Indiana as a student-centered service provider. She continues to participate and be a leader in IPSE/ICN as a Purdue representative on several committees, including being Purdue’s first ICN Coordinator and participating in the Learner Services Committee. She has provided grounding for the organization as new member institutions and new coordinators have joined her advocacy of distance learning and ICN on campus has been a major factor in ICN’s success at Purdue. She is a member and active contributor to campus committees, such as the Council for Lifelong Learning and student Services (CLASS) and the Purdue Academic Advising Association (PACADA). She has been fervent about “spreading the word” of ICN and distance learning by making presentations to departments and advisors, being sure that they are aware of the ICN model, how it works, and how it benefits students. She and her LC staff maintain communication with academic advisors keeping them apprised of available courses, new policies yond guidelines, and how ICN operates within the Purdue system. With this history, I have great pleasure nominating Camilla Lawson for the 2006 Dale E. Dowden Award.     —Joetta Burrous, statewide coordinator, Community Learning Centers, Purdue University

2006 Nomination Text 2
Camilla has been involved with distance education for many, many years. She's often the first person to indoctrinate someone coming in to ICN with how the program works. Her tireless effort to see that the students at Purdue University are afforded every opportunity to get the courses they need to fulfill their degree requirements in the shortest possible time frame is without equal in the state. She has done so far as to pay some fees out-of-pocket until the student is able to reimburse the fees! No one works with more institutions than Camilla and no one works with independent schools to the degree that she does in her desire to get the right courses for her students. She often uses creative ideas to see that services are obtained for students making phone calls, faxes, even personal visits to work through issues. As far as peer influence I dare say anyone would argue that Camilla is at the top of the list here! Under her leadership Purdue W. Lafayette is probably the largest user of inter-school courses through ICN. For me Camilla was extremely helpful in helping me see how ICN worked and how Taylor could partner with Purdue in a unique and proactive way. Her name comes up in every ICN meeting whether she is in attendance or not because not a meeting goes by where her advice, counsel and expertise is solicited. Camilla's accomplishments within the continuing education community in this state are too numerous to mention in 500 words, but anyone who has been a part of ICN for very long knows they are extensive and far reaching.     —Kevin Mahaffy, director, Taylor University Center for Lifelong Learning

Describe and/or provide links to any materials or evidence that supports your nomination of this person (300 words or less).

2006 Nomination Text 1
As Chair of PACADA (see above), Bob Walkup sent this email to the PACADA group: “I think we all owe a debt of thanks and appreciation for the GREAT JOB that the folks in the Distance Learning Office are doing. As I have been told, the lines are long but the service is great.” Let's give a big hand to Camilla Lawson and her staff for a job well done!     —Joetta Burrous, statewide coordinator, Community Learning Centers, Purdue University

2006 Nomination Text 2
My own personal involvement with Camilla and Purdue goes back almost 6 years when we processed 2 ICN enrollments through Purdue to know where we are on track to have almost 400 Purdue enrollments this fiscal year alone! That is my personal testimony, but I'm sure others could lend their support for this nomination. I only hope I am one of many who are nominating Camilla for this distinguished award. She is well deserving of the honor.     —Kevin Mahaffy, director, Taylor University Center for Lifelong Learning

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