Fairdale Resident Honored for Outstanding Achievements and Contributions

April 11, 2012 - PRLog -- PEACHTREE CORNERS, Georgia – Ashworth College, a leading online school, (http://www.ashworthcollege.edu/) announced today that Ashworth graduate Kevin Doyle Kays, Fairdale, KY, has been presented with a certificate of recognition from the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC).

The DETC annually recognizes graduates who have excelled as distance education students. Kays, is among 39 graduates from 33 accredited DETC member institutions who will be recognized during the DETC 86th Annual Conference, April 15-17, in Maui, Hawaii.

“I chose Ashworth College because of the flexibility of doing classes as fast or slow as I need to and because the tuition was affordable,” said Kays, who completed his Undergraduate Certificate program in Construction Management in 2011. “The total experience has helped me determine the direction for the rest of my career.”

Employed by Dant Clayton Corporation, a manufacturer of bleacher and stadium systems, Kays went on to explain that while he was studying he is able to immediately apply his education to his current position with a better understanding of project management – from bidding projects and implementation to new safety processes to project execution.

He has since enrolled in and graduated with an Ashworth Associate of Science degree program and is an active participant in Ashworth’s online student community.

"Kevin is a great example of how an online education easily becomes part of everyday life, successfully balancing family, career and studies,” said Rob Klapper, Ashworth College President and CEO. “We’re proud to have him as an Ashworth graduate."

Kays and his wife are the proud parents of a 22 month old son and recently welcomed their new daughter into the family. In his spare time he enjoys giving back to his local community. Not only does he volunteer with Habitat for Humanity and Everyone Reads, he is also an advocate for green causes and recycles everything including used building materials.

Ashworth College and DETC also recognized Ann Cox, who represented the state of California during the 2010 Ms. Wheelchair USA pageant. A 2011 graduate of Ashworth’s Forensic Science program, Cox was among a select few graduates who were recognized for having achieved a degree of celebrity and for continuing to make positive contributions to the community.

Delivering on a Promise

When a concept challenges the norm, it can be greeted with skepticism. In the case of distance education, accountability and outcomes is a frequent topic of discussion among those interested in furthering their education.

Most often coming into question is whether or not higher education delivers on its promises, can more education be worth the extra effort and added expense, and how is online education the “best of all worlds.”

“The Outstanding DETC Graduate of the Year program is living testimony of why the answer is a resounding “yes” to those who ask these questions,” said Michael P. Lambert, DETC Executive Director.

In addition to online schools like as Ashworth offering accredited online diploma, certificate or degree programs for up to 50% less than traditional brick and mortar institutions, DETC proudly points out the achievements of the Graduate of the Year nominees who represents the thousands of Ashworth Graduates already having changed their lives for the better by persisting and getting advanced education.

“To those who question the value of going to college online or continuing one’s education beyond secondary school, we maintain that there are few better investments one can make than investing in a quality education,” Lambert added.

About DETC

The DETC is a voluntary, non-governmental, educational organization that operates a nationally recognized accrediting association, the DETC Accrediting Commission. Since its inception, DETC has worked to promote sound educational standards and ethical business practices within the distance education. The U.S. Department of Education supports DETC as the "nationally recognized accrediting agency" under terms of Public Law.

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About Ashworth College

Ashworth College, a leading online school, has built a tradition of excellence spanning 25 years, offering students worldwide more than 115 online college degrees, online certificate programs, career training and online high school diploma options that are affordable and fit the busy schedules of working adults. Ashworth also offers military education online as well as specialized programs for corporate partners and homeschoolers.

Headquartered in Peachtree Corners, GA, Ashworth is accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC). The Accrediting Commission of the DETC is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency. James Madison High School is further accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI). For more information, visit http://www.ashworthcollege.edu/.