Excelsior College Joins Forces with Vulcan-Hart

ALBANY, NY (11/27/2007)(readMedia)-- Excelsior College, a leader in online education, has been named by Vulcan-Hart as a preferred educational provider. This enhances access to a college degree for approximately 450 Vulcan-Hart employees at manufacturing sites in Md., Ky., N.C., Ohio, and Wis.

“I commend Vulcan-Hart for encouraging their employees to advance professionally, and for investing in the training that will strengthen their position among manufacturers of professional kitchen equipment,” said Excelsior College President John F. Ebersole. “Education is necessary to compete effectively in today’s global economy.”

Excelsior College offers students choices for meeting degree requirements. Its online courses and examinations are delivered in several formats to serve students at the time they are ready to learn, and in a place that is convenient to them. Regardless of geographic location, working hours or the necessity of business travel, an Excelsior degree is available to Vulcan-Hart employees.

The College also accepts transfer credits earned from a variety of accredited sources, including traditional and online courses from other institutions, for-credit exams, and military and corporate training.

Vulcan-Hart believes continuing employee education will provide the knowledge needed to manufacture high quality products at competitive prices in today’s global economy. Employees are expected to pursue degrees in business, technology, or liberal arts under the agreement.

Vulcan-Hart joins other major United States institutions including Tyson Foods, and McDonald’s® USA in selecting Excelsior College as a preferred education provider.

Vulcan-Hart (www.vulcanhart.com) is considered the world's largest single brand manufacturer of commercial cooking equipment, with worldwide distribution of the broadest line of gas and electric equipment including ranges, fryers, ovens, steam equipment, griddles and broilers. Vulcan-Hart is an independent operating division of Illinois Tool Works (ITW).

Vulcan-Hart is committed to continuing aggressive product development efforts to produce innovative, energy-efficient, labor-saving cooking equipment for the foodservice industry of the 21st Century.

Excelsior College (www.excelsior.edu), a private, nonprofit institution, is a recognized leader in the field of online education. Founded in 1971 and located in Albany, N.Y., it is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. Excelsior College Examinations are recognized by the American Council on Education (ACE), Center for Adult Learning and Educational Credentials, for the award of college-level credit.

U.S. News & World Report’s “America's Best Colleges” report has repeatedly recognized Excelsior College with top rankings for number of transfer students and the highest percentage of students over 25 years old. http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/college/rankings/rankwebex_brief.php)

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