ACSC holds first ceremony for distance learning graduates Published July 2, 2009 By Carl Bergquist Air University Public Affairs MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- The inaugural graduation ceremony for all online students who completed the Air Command and Staff College Online Master's Program in the last 12 months took place at Maxwell AFB June 27. "We want this to be an annual commencement ceremony at the school with Air University leadership present," said Dr. Bart Kessler, ACSC dean of the online Master's Program. "It was also an opportunity for students to interact with online instructors who are located all over the globe." He said the event, attended by about a dozen students and inspectors, included faculty development lectures, research awards and lunch. Christopher Walker, ACSC Distance Learning director of student services, said this year's ceremony was the initial effort, and he hopes attendance will grow in the future as word spreads about the ceremony. "We hope to do this every summer to recognize both the students and the instructors for their accomplishments," he said. Mr. Walker said he receives a large number of telephone calls and e-mails from people telling him how much they like the online program, which graduates receive the same Master of Military Operational Arts and Sciences degree as in-residence students. "This is an opportunity to get professional military education and a master's degree even though students are constantly deploying and have families to care for," he said. "They really love the enrichment of the distance learning approach and say the environment is very similar to in-residence, or seminar, environments due to the large number of students involved." U. S. Air force Maj. Robert Mammenga, an ACSC student stationed at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, said he would highly recommend the program to others, as it is a "great way" to complete the ACSC requirements and earn a master's degree. "The program exceeded my expectations. I expected the challenging course work, but did not expect the unique opportunity to share ideas and insights with such a talented group of military professionals," he said. "Military officers bring a unique perspective, and the program's format really brought that perspective to the forefront each week." Major Mammenga said he thinks participating in the online master's program made him a better leader than if he completed the course through correspondence. He said the program provided a chance to have discussions with his peers, creating a perspective that isn't possible with a correspondence course. "Communication is always a challenge in an online course, but our instructors met that head-on," he said. "I completed my course from Germany, and hats off to my instructors who responded to any questions I had within a day." Mr. Walker said every student has to participate in the online program with a thought out written response. He said students let faculty know what they need, which helps program faculty members set up classes to meet those needs. Dr. Kessler said the distance learning program is very useful to Air Force members. It also provides a way for those not able to come to Maxwell, due to extended deployments and other mission-related duties, to take the ACSC course. "It is alternative learning for those who can't come for in-residence instruction," he said. "The students like it and get a lot of value from it. This course can be done from anywhere there is an Internet connection." Mr. Walker said it normally takes between 16 and 22 months to complete the 11-course online program. An advantage of the Distance Learning program, he said, is that students are often living what they are discussing in the classes because of their jobs. "The amount of feedback we are receiving is phenomenal, and just about all comments are compliments," he said. "It is a lot of work, but the students like it because they learn so much."