Fisk University Among 10 Schools Chosen To Receive Wireless Internet Technology

VIENNA, Va.
The Higher Education Wireless Access Consortium (HEWAC), and WiSE Technologies — a Maryland-based wireless Internet service provider —  last month announced the 10 schools selected as winners of the recently concluded competition for Campus-Wide WiFi Equipment Donation Program. Historically Black Fisk University is among the awardees, and the grand prize winner is the University of Wisconsin-Rock County (UWRC). The winners were selected from among approximately 120 colleges that applied.

The 10 schools chosen from the colleges will receive free equipment and installation. As a bonus, the grand prize winner will also receive free network management services and broadband connection for three years. The total value of the grant that UWRC will receive is estimated at nearly $200,000, according to officials.

The other nine winning schools are receiving a donation of the campuswide equipment and installation with a requirement to enter into a network management services agreement with WiSE.

"Fisk University has been one of America's outstanding universities. The university intends to utilize the wireless network technology for any time, any place connectivity with wireless laptops and PDA's and provide capability to access our Learning Management System and the Internet for instructional purposes," says Tsehay Demeke, the director of academic computing at Fisk.

The other winners are Rockhurst University (Mo.), Cleveland Chiropractic College (Ohio), Furman University (S.C.), University of Portland (Ore.), Saint Joseph College (Conn.), Wheaton College (Ill.), Johnson County Community College (Kan.) and J.F. Drake State Technical College (Ala.).

Thomas B. Muleta, CEO of HEWAC, says their wireless program provides tremendous advantages for certain schools because it eliminates the need for large capital outlays and also provides a way for managing and upgrading the network. In essence, it accelerates the adoption rate among colleges by paving the way for schools to participate in the wireless revolution without a heavy burden on their financial and/or staff resources, Muleta explains.

HEWAC is a  member-driven organization focusing on wireless technology for higher education. The organization was created to provide a forum for the most senior technology leaders of colleges and universities in which to share cooperatively their ideas and experiences.