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Polycom Video Collaboration Solutions Help Danish Educator VUC Storstrøm Win 2013 USDLA International Distance Learning Award
Posted on Thursday, May 30, 2013
Polycom Video Collaboration Solutions Help Danish Educator VUC Storstrøm Win 2013 USDLA International Distance Learning Award
Adult education center receives prestigious award for its distance learning program that delivers a full virtual classroom to 5,000 students
 
Nykøbing, DENMARK - May 30, 2013: Polycom, Inc. (Nasdaq: PLCM), the global leader in open, standards-based unified communications and collaboration (UC&C), today announced that Danish education provider VUC Storstrøm has been recognized at  the 2013 International Distance Learning Awards for its innovative project that uses video collaboration technology from Polycom to provide remote education to 5,000 adult students. VUC Storstrøm’s Global Classroom program, a silver award winner in the category ‘Best Practices for Distance Learning Programming,’ enables adult students who did not complete school to finish their degree and learn new skills by attending virtual lessons, making themselves more employable.
 
The International Distance Learning Awards, annually hosted by the United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA), acknowledges major accomplishments in the field of distance learning. It recognizes programs and professionals who have achieved extraordinary results through the use of online, video conferencing, satellite and blended learning delivery technologies.
 
VUC Storstrøm, often referred to as the ‘second chance’ program, is one of 30 adult education centers in Denmark helping students fill in gaps in their education and ultimately improving their employment prospects. Faced with the challenges of providing students from rural areas with easy access to its courses and increasing enrollment in undersubscribed classes, VUC launched its Global Classroom program. The program gives students the option to attend virtual lessons from anywhere, including their nearest VUC center.
 
For this initiative, VUC chose Polycom® HDX® Series room video solutions, with multipoint connections implemented via the Polycom® RealPresence® Collaboration Server (RMX) – part of the Polycom® RealPresence® Platform.  Thanks to Polycom video collaboration software, teachers can continue to conduct their lessons in the traditional classroom environment, while students can join the classes online, from any location. To participate, students simply download Polycom® RealPresence® Desktop video software onto their personal computer and enjoy secure, HD-quality desktop video collaboration with an intuitive, easy-to-use interface.
 
“We are very proud to receive this prestigious award,” said Flemming Neilsen, Project Manager responsible for the Global Classroom program at VUC Storstrøm. “As an education provider, we wanted to make sure that everyone who wants to improve their skills has equal access to our classes. With Polycom RealPresence video collaboration solutions, we’ve managed to achieve this goal and attract students who would otherwise be unable to attend due to their location or other commitments.”
 
To enable more adults to take advantage of distance learning, VUC Storstrøm is currently in discussions to extend the Global Classroom initiative to other VUC centers across Denmark.
 
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Douglas Fearing- Co-Founder / President

A graduate of DeVry Institute of Technology, Doug has been in the Technology industry since 1976 and actively oversees Fearing’s daily operations. Along with his wife, Lois, and three others, Doug started Fearing’s in a 600 square-foot facility in Portage, Wisconsin. In the 25 years since, the company has grown to over 30 employees with offices in Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Doug likes to say he’s a “TV Technician with a dream� going back to his history with the family’s original business-Fearing’s TV and Appliance.

Doug values time with family, watersports, hiking, snowshoeing and skiing. In addition to being a devoted member of his church, Doug serves as Board President for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County, Board member of Schools for Haiti and Scripture Chair of the Gideons-Portage camp.

Lois Fearing- Co-Founder/Accounting, Human Resources

A graduate of MATC, Lois oversees Fearing’s daily book keeping along with various HR responsibilities.

Along with Doug, Lois is deeply connected to community outreach, serving as a Board member and Fundraising Committee Chairperson for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County. She also serves on the Schools for Haiti Fundraising committee. In addition, Lois’ ongoing passion and commitment to provide care for the elderly comes from her 10-year history of working in a Reedsburg, Wisconsin Nursing home.

Lois enjoys singing, hiking, sunny days on the pontoon, and spending time with her 4 grandchildren.

Ehren Tresner-VP of Technology and Innovation

Ehren drives Fearing’s technology by continually seeking out trends to enhance capabilities while supporting Sales, Engineering and Installation teams. Throughout his years with Fearing’s, Ehren’s talent and vision have joined forces to create a wide variety of projects and strategic solutions that exceed expectation.

Ehren loves music, family time, movies, nature, sustainability efforts and electric vehicles.

Ben Voeck-Director of Commercial AV

With 10 years with Fearing’s and over twice that long in the industry, Ben continues to lead, coordinate, and develop the Commercial AV team.

By consistently delivering an outstanding experience and outcome, Ben contributes to the Fearing’s legacy of long-lasting partnerships that truly make a difference. Whatever the Commercial AV need may be, Ben and team deliver at the highest level.

Ben is an avid fisherman and photographer. He enjoys coaching his sons and other youth.

Chris Matson-Senior VP of Sales

Chris has been with Fearing’s for 20 years and in the industry for over 2 decades. As a Certified leader in Sales Acceleration and trained in EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating Systems), Chris successfully utilizes his skills to lead the Fearing’s Salesforce. Chris and team are motivated and driven to develop new client partnerships while continuing to reinforce loyal long-term relationships with ongoing Service excellence.

Married for 19 years with 3 children, Chris enjoys skiing, hiking, fishing, boating, hunting, camping and golf. He’s also been actively involved as a Youth Football and Softball coach for his family and others.