IDG's CIO magazine named Seton Hill University as a recipient of the 2013 CIO 100. The 26th annual award program recognizes organizations around the world that exemplify the highest level of operational and strategic excellence in information technology (IT).

"For 26 years now, the CIO 100 awards have honored the innovative use of technology to deliver genuine business value," said Maryfran Johnson, Editor in Chief of CIO magazine & events. "Our 2013 winners are an outstanding example of the transformative power of IT to drive everything from revenue growth to competitive advantage."

“Seton Hill University has been at the forefront of using mobile technology in a higher education setting,” said Seton Hill Vice President for Information Technology and CIO Phil Komarny. “We are thrilled that our innovative programs are being recognized by the 2013 CIO 100 award, and we will continue to take the lead when it comes to implementing technology in higher education.”

In 2010, Seton Hill became the first university in the world to commit to giving all full-time students and faculty the just-released iPad, beginning with the 2010-2011 school year, and MacBooks to all incoming full-time freshmen. Seton Hill’s pioneering stance on the use of this new mobile technology for teaching and learning prompted national recognition, including a featured spot in an educational video created by Apple and pieces on Good Morning America, National Public Radio and in the New York Times.

“In my many years of college experience, I believe that nothing has changed the landscape of education the way mobile technology has,” said Seton Hill President JoAnne Boyle. “When the Oxford English Dictionary was first published—or when the first encyclopedia was released—people were stunned by such a treasure trove of knowledge. Of course, both can be found now using the iPad—along with so much more, all at your fingertips. By embedding mobile technology into a rigorous learning environment, we, as educators, are not only providing students with unimpeded access to all the world’s learning, we are also supplying them with the tools to create new ideas, new art, new horizons.”

As part of its mobile technology commitment, Seton Hill opened the Center for Innovative Teaching, which serves to enhance and expand the training and support the University provides to faculty on the use of technology in the classroom.

“Seton Hill faculty continue to be leaders in the use of mobile technology,” said University Provost and Dean of the Faculty Mary Ann Gawelek. “They embrace innovation in the classroom and provide their students with a robust learning experience.”

The University also implemented a high-bandwidth wireless Internet network that blankets the main hilltop and downtown Greensburg campuses. A voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP) system allows phone service to flow over the University’s network, cutting costs while providing popular features, like the ability to receive voicemails via email.

Komarny and executives from the other winning companies will be recognized at the CIO 100 Symposium & Awards Ceremony, to be held Tuesday evening, Aug. 13th at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Other recipients of the 2013 CIO 100 include The Boeing Co., The Procter & Gamble Company, Intel Corp., Wells Fargo, IBM, Verizon Wireless and FedEx Corp.

The recipients of this year's CIO 100 award were selected through a three-step process. First, companies filled out an online application form detailing their innovative IT and business initiatives. Next, a team of judges reviewed the applications in depth, looking for unique practices and substantial results. Finally, CIO editors reviewed the judges' recommendations and voted on the final 100.

Complete coverage of the 2013 CIO 100 awards will be online on August 1, 2013 and in the August 1st issue of CIO magazine.