Indiana Wesleyan University has been recognized by the New Media Consortium (NMC) as a world leader in its innovative approaches to the use of technology.

In early 2003, in recognition of the 10th anniversary of the organization, NMC commissioned its fourth worldwide search for proven leaders among higher education institutions in the application of technology to teaching, learning, research or creative expression. IWU was among 50 colleges and universities identified in that search.

"Indiana Wesleyan truly has an entrepreneurial culture," Dr. Pattengale says. "We have been able to incubate ideas and test them much faster than other universities. This really sets us apart from many other schools. And to have a Vice President of Academic Affairs who is technologically savvy, as we do, is an enormous bonus for IWU."

Dr. Bayard Baylis has been IWU's chief academic officer since 1998. His academic background is in mathematics and statistics.

In addition to the honor of the designation itself, institutions selected as New Media Centers become part of a vibrant community of innovators and have the opportunity to work with colleagues around the world to help set the agenda for technology in higher education.

"In practical terms, being a New Media Center basically gives us free access to workshops and puts us in touch with problem solvers on a regular basis," Dr. Pattengale says. "We're able to talk with the best people in the world on technology issues in education."

NMC members include highly regarded private universities such as MIT, Princeton and Yale; leading state research universities such as UCLA, Texas and Michigan; outstanding liberal arts colleges such as Mount Holyoke, Carleton and the University of Richmond; top community colleges such as Moraine Valley, Maricopa and San Diego; and a growing list of innovative museums such as the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.

The New Media Consortium was born when hardware manufacturers, software developers and publishers realized that their multimedia-capable products would work well together and should be presented in an integrated fashion to colleges and universities.