Education system launched

Twenty-five years ago this week, Jay County residents were given a new educational opportunity.

The Sept. 13, 1995, edition of The Commercial Review reported the launch of the Indiana Higher Education Television System in Jay County.

The new system made it possible for Jay County residents to take undergraduate and graduate-level college courses from eight Indiana colleges and universities. Jay County Cooperative Extension Services also planned to make a variety of free seminars available through the service. Jay School Corporation partnered with Jay County Hospital, First National Bank, Delta Theta Tau sorority, Portland Lions Club, Moser Engineering, Teledyne Portland Forge and United Way of Jay County to install the system.

In an Indiana Higher Education Television System college course, students watched lectures on a large-screen TV at the high school. They were able to ask questions through a telephone link, and homework and quizzes were handled via mail and fax.

“Taking (a course) this way is cheaper,” said student Ann Crooks. “Plus, I eliminate drive time. I think it’s great.”

“Cost-wise, I don’t think you can beat it,” added Trent Paxson, a Jay School Corporation teacher who was taking a course in pursuit of his master’s degree.

The program allowed students to complete most of the course work for an associate degree or a master’s degree in business administration from Ball State University with minimal travel.

Plans also called for using the service to provide seminars and training for farmers, health care professionals and the business community.

Courses that were available included nursing, managerial accounting, quality management, marketing, philosophy, criminal law, pharmacology and robotics.