The International Quality & Productivity Center recognized MLGW University as the "Best New Corporate University" during the 4th Annual Corporate University Best In Class (CUBIC) Awards in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

MLGW University is designed to enhance the professional and personal development of MLGW employees by offering courses that improve their skill set. In turn, the employees are better equipped to serve MLGW customers. MLGW University offers nine schools of learning: Core Studies; Information Management; Customer Relations Management; Construction Technology; Health, Safety and Security; Leadership Development; Engineering; Business; and Finance. Some courses qualify for college credit.

MLGW University Chief Learning Officer Carolyn B. Turman and fellow staff members, Fran Johnson, Philip Lim and Richard Bowker, were on hand to receive the international CUBIC award at a black-tie awards ceremony held in early November.

The CUBIC Awards were established to honor, recognize and promote corporate universities that are true best practices. A prestigious group of corporate university experts and leaders are enlisted to accurately and objectively evaluate the true effectiveness of world-class corporate universities.

In the �Best New Corporate University� category, which is for programs a year old or less, entrants were judged on their competence in contributing to the overall success of the organization; how the corporate university was launched; strategic plans for future development; key leadership support and involvement as well as implementation of effective data-tracking models.

�This award lets us know that our processes and programs are representative of �best practices� in the industry,� Turman said. MLGW University opened Nov. 2, 2006 as an integral part of the company�s strategic plan. �We will continue our efforts to provide the best learning opportunities for our employees so that they will be able to provide exceptional service to our customers.�

At the end of the third quarter 2007, 4,225 employees had participated in 386 classes offered through MLGW University.

MLGW University is located at the Joyce M. Blackmon Training Center at 4949 Raleigh-LaGrange Rd.

MLGW is the largest three-service public power utility in the nation, serving more than 420,000 customers in Memphis and Shelby County. A 2007 survey of large metropolitan areas showed that MLGW has the sixth lowest combined rates in the nation.