Technology non-profit MCNC has garnered national recognition for using information technology for social good.
MCNC has been named to the 2013 class of IDG’s Computerworld Honors Program. This annual award honors entities that use IT to promote positive social, economic and educational change. For the last 25 years, the Computerworld Honors Program has recognized people and organizations who have benefited society through technology.
Nominees were accepted in 11 categories, including health, human services and mobile access. To be considered, a nominees project must have been completed or significantly expanded within the last two years.
Research Triangle Park-based MCNC owns and operates the North Carolina Research and Education Network (NCREN), a broadband network that links education, non-profit health care and other community institutions throughout the state. Schools, universities and research institutions such as RTI International are among the entities on the NCREN. MCNC has been working on a $144 million expansion of the network. Dubbed the Golden LEAF Rural Broadband Initiative, the expansion has added 2,400 schools, 58 community colleges and more than 80 non-profit hospitals. MCNC has also secured $144 million in private and federal investments into NCREN.
“MCNC accepts this award on behalf of the students, researchers, patients, health care providers and other citizens in North Carolina who benefit from their daily use of NCREN,” MCNC President and CEO Joe Freddoso said in a statement.
The Compuaterworld Honors Program awards will be presented at the Gala Evening and Awards Ceremony on June 3 at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C.
