LAWRENCE -- Robert J. Senecal, dean of Continuing Education at the University of Kansas, has received the Julius M. Nolte Award for Extraordinary Leadership. This is the most prestigious of all awards given by the University Continuing Education Association, the international professional organization for continuing educators. The award was presented April 7 at the association's annual conference in Philadelphia.

Established in 1965, the award is given periodically in recognition of unusual and extraordinary contributions to the cause of continuing education on the regional, national or international level.

The association chose Senecal for his "special gift in being able to provide strong leadership and direction while maintaining tremendous loyalty and support from those who know and work with him." The award presenters called Senecal "one of those rare individuals who truly bridges and connects the world of academe with those many constituent audiences that continuing education engages in order to achieve success," and termed him "an inspirational example, mentor, coach and leader."

Involved with continuing education in Kansas since 1969, Senecal was associate director for Statewide Academic Extension and coordinated federal programs for the State Education Commission for four years before joining KU Continuing Education as associate director in 1973. He was named dean in 1980.

In 1985, he was given additional responsibilities as KU's associate vice chancellor for academic affairs for Off-Campus Programs. In 1997 he was also named associate vice chancellor for continuing education at the University of Kansas Medical Center. He now oversees continuing medical education certification programs for doctors, nurses and allied health professionals. He also administers the certification of firefighters and law enforcement officers throughout Kansas and has served on the Governor's Commission on Law Enforcement Training for two decades.

Senecal's service to continuing education includes leadership in the Big 12 Conference continuing education deans' organization and the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges. He has taken a leadership role on the Board of Regents' Council of Deans and Directors of Continuing Education and on its distance learning and systemwide telecommunications committees.

Senecal holds a doctorate in higher education administration from the University of Iowa. He will retire in June.