Ecotech Institute's Manager of Environmental Operations Awards $500 Donation to Friends of the Earth After Winning Planet Ark Competition

Kyle Crider's Articulate Letter to the Editor Highlights Importance of Preserving Every Species, Large and Small


DENVER, CO--(Marketwire - Dec 14, 2011) - Ecotech Institute, the first and only college focused entirely on preparing America's workforce for careers in renewable energy and sustainability, today announced that its own Kyle Crider, manager of environmental operations, won Planet Ark's World Environment News letter to the editor competition. You can read his winning letter at http://planetark.org/enviro-news/competition.cfm.

Planet Ark asked environmental journalists, bloggers or concerned eco-citizens to express themselves on an environmental story that moved, angered or inspired them in the form of a letter to the editor. Planet Ark said they selected Kyle's piece, "The First Rule of Intelligent Tinkering," from all entrants because it is thought provoking, intelligent and well written. The letter focuses on the importance of protecting all species from extinction, no matter how large or small. As the winner, World Environment News posted Kyle's letter and Colonial First State made a $500 donation in his name to Friends of the Earth. The organization is a global network representing more than two million environmental activists.

"It's an incredible honor to have my letter highlighted and in turn be able to help a worthy organization that is advocating for our environment," said Crider. "It's empowering to me -- and should be to others -- that there continues to be growth in dialogue about how to honor and protect our planet and all its species."

In addition to sharing the letter on its own site, Planet Ark also posted the letter in its newsletters, social media sites and through the World Environment News service.

You can read more of Kyle's work on www.TheGreenRegister.com where he has a weekly blog that covers a variety of topics on the environment and sustainability.

To learn more about Ecotech Institute, visit us at www.ecotechinstitute.com or call 1-877-326-5576. The next round of classes begins in January 2012 and applications are being accepted now. Financial assistance is available to those who qualify.

About Ecotech Institute
Ecotech Institute is the first and only college entirely focused on preparing America's workforce for careers in renewable energy and sustainability. Launched in April 2010 in Denver, Colorado, the college offers seven associate's degrees and a certificate program designed by experts in the industry for people seeking careers in the emerging cleantech economy. Ecotech Institute is a division of Education Corporation of America. For more information about Ecotech Institute, visit www.ecotechinstitute.com.

About Education Corporation of America
Education Corporation of America is a leader in the post-secondary career school market with current enrollment of nearly 19,000 students. The ECA website is www.ecacolleges.com. In addition to Ecotech Institute, ECA schools include Virginia College, founded in 1983, a private institution of higher education that offers non-degree and associate's, bachelor's and master's degree programs in the areas of Health and Medical, Business, Information Technology, Interior Design, Computer Design, Culinary Arts, Cosmetology, Nursing and more in twenty different cities. Virginia College campuses are located in Birmingham, Huntsville, Mobile and Montgomery, Alabama; Jacksonville and Pensacola, Florida; Augusta, Macon, Columbus and Savannah, Georgia; Biloxi and Jackson, Mississippi; Charleston, Spartanburg, Columbia, and Greenville, South Carolina; Chattanooga, Tennessee; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Richmond, Virginia; and Austin, Texas. The Virginia College website is www.vc.edu. Virginia College also offers classes worldwide via the Internet, with student services and admissions facilities in Birmingham, Alabama, and Tampa, Florida. Information about online classes at Virginia College is available at www.vconline.edu. Additionally, ECA operates Culinard, the Culinary Institute of Virginia College, with locations in Birmingham and Mobile, Alabama; Richmond, Virginia; and Jacksonville, Florida. The website is www.culinard.com. ECA also operates Golf Academy of America, with locations in Phoenix, Arizona; San Diego, California; Orlando, Florida; and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The Golf Academy website is www.golfacademy.edu.

Contact Information:

Contact:
Jenny Foust
CSG|PR
303.433.7020