GPN:Brochure
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The GPN Story
The Great Plains Network (GPN) was founded in 1997 by many of the pioneers who brought NSFnet and the Internet to universities in the middle of the United States. These leaders realized that, once again, the needs of the research and education community were on the verge of overwhelming the public Internet. They set themselves, once again, to the task of creating a robust networking infrastructure to support advanced research and education applications. This time, however, the goal was to be certain that the Great Plains Network supported a new network and the scientists and educators who would use that network. Notably, the initial planning meeting for GPN foreshadowed planning for the national advanced research and education network that is now know as Internet2. Appropriately, GPN was the first regional connector to Internet2.
With over 20 leading universities in seven states as founding members, the Great Plains Network Consortium continues to lead in support of research collaboration, education and advanced networking for member institutions. Members trust and rely on the expertise, support, and collaboration of one another. GPN staff actively seek out and help members pool their skills and knowledge across universities and across disciplines. In a host of technical and research areas, GPN participants are recognized leaders in their fields. By partnering with one another, their mutual efforts have attained national and international recognition.
The GPN Collaborative Model
About GPN Membership
By becoming a member, you and your organization have the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of this unique community of experts and scholars by tapping into ongoing projects, benefiting from technical expertise, and contributing to the development of large-scale initiatives that might not be possible without the ready access provided via GPN staff. You also have access to GPN staff expertise and energy in researching answers to your questions and advising you on emerging opportunities.
Being a GPN member gives your community the opportunity to
- Collaborate on research and education activities and initiatives.
- Innovate in the development, use and sharing of advanced networking and high performance computing to further leading-edge technologies.
- Participate together in member meetings, workshops and focused project activities.
- Lead in governance of GPN Executive and Representative Councils, the Research Advisory Board, Technical Networking Committee and other advisory groups.
- Share knowledge and expertise in helping others to resolve problems.
- Demonstrate support for GPN-related events hosted by your organization.
- Engage in the excitement of challenging one another to achieve new levels of excellence.
- Communicate via GPN communications activities, such as press releases, newsletters, project Web sites, member profiles and more.
Active GPN Programs
Initiatives
- Bioinformatics
- Collaborative Middleware Environment
- GPNgrid
- Human Language Technology
- K20 Education
- Networking Research
- Shibboleth
Groups
- Representative Council
- Research Advisory Board
- Networking Advisory Group
- Technical Networking Committee
- Annual Meeting Planning Committee
Education
- Visiting Scholar Program
- Course Sharing as part of specific initiatives
For more details, visit http://collaboration.greatplains.net
Member Benefits
Benefits of University Membership:
- Access to Community Resources;
- Host technical and/or scientific workshops;
- Opportunity to join existing research collaborations;
- Opportunity to start new research collaborations;
- Reduced fees at the Annual Meeting and other workshops.
- Collaborate with other GPN universities, affiliate and corporate members on existing initiatives;
- Connection to a high performance network
- Explore specific technology areas;
- Focus technology transfer benefits;
- Develop new projects with other GPN members;
- Participate in national Member Meetings, Technical Workshops, Research Projects, Representative Council, Technology Initiatives; and
- Members-only website, member e-mail discussion lists, technical reports, and Membership Recognition.
Benefits of Corporate Membership:
- Partner on technical and scientific workshops, Annual Meeting, research collaborations;
- Collaborate with GPN university, affiliate and other corporate members on existing initiatives;
- Keep abreast of advanced networking and computing technologies as well as innovation for technology transfer and deployment;
- Explore specific technology areas;
- Establish market making opportunities;
- Focus technology transfer benefits;
- Develop new projects with other GPN members;
- Participate in Annual Meeting, Technical Workshops, Research Projects, Technology Initiatives, Representative Council;
- Members-only website, member e-mail discussion lists, technical reports, and Membership Recognition; and
- Website recognition, recognition at all GPN meetings, public relations initiatives.
Joining GPN
GPN Membership has advantages for several types of organizations. Public and private research colleges and universities in the GPN region are eligible for affiliate membership. As members, individual institutions increase their opportunities for multi-state, multi-institution funding. In addition, smaller institutions can participate in a research project already underway that they may not have been able to fund on their own.
Corporations wishing to support research and advanced computing in the higher education community are also eligible to join as affiliate members. With the support of these members, other members are able to find additional fund sources, take research results to market, and have access to the latest products and technical support. GPN must have private corporate support to thrive.
How to Join
Getting started with your GPN membership is as simple as contacting us. Give us a call or e-mail, and tell us what you’d like to get out of your GPN membership, and we’ll set everything in motion for you.
Great Plains Network (GPN) Gregory E. Monaco, Ph.D., Executive Director
Manhattan Telephone: (785) 532-0118 Mobile: (785) 554-9657
greg@greatplains.net
Manhattan: Kansas State University 492 Bluemont Hall Manhattan, KS 66506-5302
Topeka: Suite 204, 4125 Gage Center Drive Topeka, KS 66604
http://www.greatplains.net http://collaboration.greatplains.net
