Purdue University Global is set to launch after receiving final approval from the Higher Learning Commission. Monday's (March 5) notice of approval was the last step in the regulatory process for the new university, first announced in April 2017.

"We are grateful for the Higher Learning Commission's decision to approve Purdue University's conversion of Kaplan University to Indiana's newest public institution of higher education, Purdue Global," said Purdue President Mitch Daniels. "It opens a new era for our institution, with the opportunity to expand our land-grant mission to millions of adult students around the country. That opportunity brings with it the responsibility to provide the highest quality online education, not only to our new adult learners, but to all residential and online Boilermaker students.

"Starting today, Purdue University hopes to take a leading role in online learning nationally."

Purdue Global will have its main campus in Indianapolis and is expected to launch officially in April. Betty Vandenbosch, currently president of Kaplan University (KU), will be the Purdue Global chancellor and will report to Daniels and the new institution's six-member board of trustees, composed of five Purdue University trustees and one external trustee.

"We appreciate the Higher Learning Commission's fast and unequivocal 'yes,'" Vandenbosch said. "This gives us a chance to move forward promptly with a successful start. We are excited to become part of the Purdue University system and offer working adults a supportive and practical education tailored specifically to them."

Approximately 30,000 students enrolled at Kaplan University will seamlessly transition to Purdue Global. These students will be able to complete their programs of study with their current instructors without interruption, but will earn a degree bearing the new institution's name. Over time, additional programs are expected to be added to the curriculum.

"A large and growing number of Purdue faculty have demonstrated an active interest in working with Purdue Global or with the digital platform it brings," said Frank Dooley, Purdue vice provost for teaching and learning. "All willing and interested faculty are welcome to join this exciting new opportunity in Purdue's history."

Purdue Global was created to enhance Purdue's land-grant mission by expanding access to higher education for the millions of working adults who started and did not complete a college degree and for others unable to attend a traditional college campus. With the launch of the new institution, Purdue, which previously did not have a significant online undergraduate degree offering, seeks to catapult itself to become one of the largest online degree-granting systems in higher education.

Purdue  announced its decision last year to acquire Kaplan University from Kaplan Inc. In mid-June, trustees of the new university  approved plans to offer a tuition discount of approximately 45 percent for Indiana resident students and free tuition for degree-seeking Purdue employees. In December, the board  voted to approve a Statement of Ethical Principles and Pledge to Students, a code by which all Purdue Global faculty, administrators, staff and support team members, as well as service partners, vendors, collaborators and other associates will be required to conduct themselves.

Founded in 1895, the Higher Learning Commission is one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States. HLC accredits degree-granting post-secondary educational institutions in the North Central region, which includes 19 states. Recognized by both the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, the HLC accredits approximately one-third of U.S. regionally accredited public and private institutions, including Purdue and Kaplan University.

Callas Contractors is celebrating its 60th anniversary this month.  Founded on February 28, 1958 by Michael G. Callas, some of the company's earliest clients were the C&P Telephone Company, Teledyne Landis Company and North American Cement Corporation.

Mike Callas earned a full scholarship to Johns Hopkins University and also served in World War II before returning to his hometown of Hagerstown.  He shared his prosperity with the employees and the community by working on projects for schools, the YMCA, Boy Scouts, Children's Village, United Way and many more.  Of such projects, Mike said, "I get a good feeling, because my support of county endeavors makes this a good place to live and support a family."  While maintaining a philanthropic culture, Callas Contractors today carries on this vision once molded by Mike Callas.  Even after an untimely death in 2004, The Michael G. Callas Charitable Trust continues today to make humanitarian contributions that benefit The Cumberland Valley.

It is noteworthy that employees of Callas Contractors have comparable longevity with many having from 35-45 years of service to the company.

Many notable landmarks built include: Washington County Hospital, Waynesboro Hospital, Smithsburg High School, Mike Callas Stadium at North Hagerstown High School, North Hagerstown High School, James Buchanan High School, Maryland Ribbon Company, FedEx Freight, Potomac Towers and many buildins at Ft. Ritchie and on the Hagerstown Community College campus.  

Our community is rich in history for which Callas is proud to have made an impact.

Worx Graphic Design, known for their ability to keep up with emerging trends in the world of advertising and marketing, has had a month complete with a new hire and two big wins at the famous American Advertising Awards. 

Tyler Royer joins the Worx team as a new Junior Designer.  A graduate of Hood College, he loves to watch a design come to life through problem solving.

Additionally, Laura Wallace and her team brought home two silver ADDY Awards - one for the Mulberry Lofts space branding and one for their very own website (check it out here). 

Valley Credit Service, Inc.  invests in innovative technology to create new avenues to collect debt and reduce carbon footprint. 

They've added a new member to their team to enhance communication with consumers and clients.  

Meet Alex - Alex is a virtual agent that consumers and clients can connect with 24/7/365.  Alex will interact with consumers to take payments, update information, report disputes, make payment arrangements, and update accounts. Alex can also interact with consumers in English, Spanish, German, French and several other languages.

Also along with Alex, their enhanced technology will allow communication with consumers via text messages and emails.

Due to the type of industry they are in and the information that Valley Credit Service protects and uses, this was nearly an impossibility. But with the advancements in their technology they are now extremely excited to offer these new avenues of communication.  So many consumers today prefer the convenience of texting and emailing.  They can now send letters, payment arrangements and other data via emails.  

Also all documents are stored on an encrypted cloud storage so they no longer print documents to file. All information is uploaded to their storage cloud.

Their management team believes in implementing the best protocols that will help the clients and consumers that they serve.

As a tech savvy industry leader for more than 50 years, Valley Credit Service has provided valuable services including  payment monitoring, tenant screening, insurance billing, EMR Management software, past due account recovery and merchant services. 

If you would like more information or a consultation on our services please contact Donna Nead in their Hagerstown Branch at 800-992-2312 ext 2223 or at  dnead@maxprofitsys.com.  More information can be found at www.maxprofitsys.com

Maximize Your Membership

Thursday, March 15th - 5:00pm - 7:00pm

Chamber of Commerce Training Room, Hagerstown, MD

Business After Hours 

Hosted by Mercersburg Academy

Thursday, March 15th, 5:00-7:00pm

State of the Chamber: a Mid-Year Report

Thursday, March 22nd, 7:30am - 9:00am

Hager Hall Conference & Event Center

M&T Presents: State of the County

Tuesday, April 3rd, 7:00am - 9:00am

Fountain Head Country Club