FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 25, 2003

John Gage Honored

Washington, D.C. -- John Gage, a member of NetDay's Board of Directors and Chief Researcher, Sun Microsystems, Inc., received the National Coalition for Technology in Education and Training (NCTET) Community Builder Award for his contributions in advancing the cause of education technology nationally. He was honored for his work and alliance building efforts with scientific and technical organizations and institutions; his initiative in founding NetDay and his service on the congressionally chartered Web-based Education Commission.

The award was announced in Washington, DC at a reception concluding NCTET's Summit on Education Leadership in the 21st Century. " NetDay is fortunate to have John Gage as a member of its Board. John has consistently been a visionary in promoting the use of technology in education. We value his commitment to advancing our mission to connect children to a brighter future through technology" noted NetDay CEO Julie Evans in accepting the award on behalf of John Gage.

In learning of the award, John Gage said, "I am extremely honored to be recognized for my efforts and look forward to continuing my work with NetDay. On March 9, 1996, when NetDay was launched, our goal was simple: to wire all the schools in California to the Internet. On a single day, 100,000 Californians responded to their schools' requests for help. Since then, NetDay has helped thousands of schools gain access to the Internet. I am proud of this legacy of connections and proud that the initial NetDay successes with wiring have continued today with our efforts to help schools use technology to improve education."

Other NCTET Community Builder Award winners are:

• Anita Givens, Senior Director, Educational Technology, Texas Education Agency for her leadership and vision in effectively integrating technology into schools and learning for students in Texas , as well as her national efforts to develop models and build partnerships in educational technology to support achievement in lifelong learning

• The Honorable Angus King, Jr., for his vision and implementation of the first statewide laptop initiative as former Governor of Maine providing thousands of students with increased technology access through partnerships with business and other stakeholders

• Doug Otto, Superintendent, Plano Independent School District, Plano, Texas for his national leadership in using technology to motivate students, enhance the curriculum, expand student learning and strengthen teaching.

NetDay's mission is to connect every child to a brighter future by helping educators meet educational goals through the effective use of technology. NetDay (www.NetDay.org), a national non-profit organization known for its successful school wiring programs, today manages community and web-based programs that promote enhanced student achievement through the effective use of technology.

About NCTET

NCTET (www.nctet.org) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that examines and supports the use of technology to improve education and training in America. NCTET's stakeholders include education associations, non-profit organizations, corporations, and individual participants. NCTET organizes briefings & symposia and produces reports to help advance the integration of technology to improve teaching and learning. Our events create a neutral forum to discuss key issues, and attract participants from throughout the ed-tech community.

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