GEAPS/K-State Education Program Honored

The distance education program offered in partnership by the Grain Elevator and Processing Society (GEAPS) and Kansas State University received the 2015 Celebration of Excellence Award for Innovative Noncredit Program.

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/K-State 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 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,” said Forst. “It is truly an honor to receive this recognition.”

The GEAPS-K-State Distance Education Program offers more than 25 online courses for the grain handling and processing industries. More than 2500 registrants from 30 countries have taken GEAPS/K-State 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.  

The Grain Elevator and Processing Society (GEAPS) is a professional association that supports its members and the industry by serving as The Knowledge Resource for the world of grain handling industry operations. GEAPS addresses the industry’s critical operations and processing needs by providing the finest networking, education and professional development programs. GEAPS global network of industry professionals includes more than 2800 individual members from about 1150 companies.