Online master's program earns award Published Sept. 9, 2008 By Scott Knuteson Air University Public Affairs MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. (AFPN) -- Officials from the Air Command and Staff College's Distance Learning Directorate here developed and launched the Air Force's online master's degree program in 2007 and received the Muir S. Fairchild Award Aug. 29 for their efforts. The entire curriculum was created in-house, and the program, an Air Force chief of staff initiative, rolled out six months ahead of schedule and below budget. Capping this achievement was the recommendation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools that the program, which replicates ACSC's in-residence degree, be included in Air University's accreditation without a site visit, something that is rarely seen in higher academia. The Distance Learning Directorate also educated more than 9,000 Department of Defense majors and civilian equivalents through its traditional correspondence program and kept up its Commanders Connection community of practice, which helps develop squadron commanders. "This represents a lot of hard work from the folks at Distance Learning and the residence side of ACSC and from across Air University," said Dr. Bart Kessler, the dean of Distance Learning at ACSC. The award was established in the mid 1960s by the Order of Daedalians to recognize exceptional educational endeavors within Air University. It was named after Gen. Muir S. Fairchild, the first commander of Air University and the founder of the Daedalians. Other nominees for the award included the Air Force's Public Affairs Center of Excellence, Culture and Language Center, Squadron Officer College and Officer Training School. Comment on this story (comments may be published on Air Force Link) View the comments/letters page