Twenty years ago, the world's first online course was hosted on a modem bulletin board in California. This "ahead of its time" course was created by one of VU's founders. We again took the lead in 1995, creating a virtual campus on the World Wide Web at a time when there were fewer than 500 sites and most considered the Web a passing fad. Since then, we've developed hundreds of free and low-cost courses on a wide variety of subjects, and two million people from 128 countries have attended online classes at VU.

Does online learning really work? Here are some of the unsolicited e-mails:

Let me express again how much I enjoyed these classes and how impressed I am with your organization. I have met such great, giving people here. Thank you to VU for your patience and fine job. It was a great experience and I can't wait until the fall.  Anne T.

What matters is that you support your students. I appreciate that! I will continue to support VU. I love it, I love the teachers, and the "feeling" of the class is sooo good. I can't wait for other classes.  Kim D.

This virtual campus is just too great for words . I had already taken the Html 101 course and plan to take two more this Fall. Keep up the magnificent work!  Bala S.

"Copyright 101" is the most incredible class I've ever taken. I went to college for 2 1/2 years for Paralegal and I learned more in this class than I did when I took Copyright law in college.  Joanne M.

VU is just fabulous! You've opened up a whole new vista for me. VU is the greatest thing since ice cream.  Lynette S.

A word of appreciation for our writing teacher: you promised this would be a fun course and it certainly has been that. It has also been an extremely instructive one. I am hardly a novice writer; I enrolled because I was curious to see how someone as well versed in computer techniques, instructional organization, and modern writing as you demonstrably were would put it all together. I found how you did so enlightening. You taught me a lot of valuable lessons!  Kirby B.

What a wonderful service you offer the public. Through your courses I am experiencing personal growth and indepth knowledge of the subject matter. To think I was a novice to the Internet 2 months ago. You helped me become competent.  Carrie T.

I wanted to personally say thank you for an awesome course. When I went into this course I knew nothing about HTML. In fact, I was sort of intimidated by it. My boyfriend designs web pages and he paid $500 for an online course elsewhere that taught far less than you all did. Not to mention yours was so much better organized and explained!  Sandra S.

Like everything, you get out what you put in, but with VU is that you get out a hundred times what you put in. Classes are a lot of work but there is plenty of help! I think most would agree that the best part is the friends you can meet and the encouragement they give.  Shirley C.

This is the most interesting and stimulating course I have ever taken. I learned more about the Internet in VU's Internet class in two weeks than since I began to explore the Net four years ago. This class is stimulating, informative and exciting!  Carl Z.

You folks are TERRIFIC!!! I really liked your belief statement: "VU is dedicated to the belief that "knowledge is the mortar of a democratic and prosperous society and the single most important weapon against poverty, tyranny, and human despair. Our online classrooms are open to people of all ages, from all walks of life, and from every corner of the globe. We are all inhabitants of Planet Earth and 'we are all in this together'." Keep up the good work!   Susanne in Oregon

I had to share this with you: I just won a $250 crit. from ABC. You and Nancy are mentors of mine and I shall never forget you. I am on my third chapter of a novel and have been published three times. I thank you for all you did for me!  Sharon E.

I took "You Can Change Your Life" during the previous term; but seeing that it has really changed my life, I've decided to retake the class again this term. All I can say is - keep up the good work! Enrolling for this course was one of the best things I've ever done!  Aletta N.

I'm planning on being around VU for a long time. I love the format of the classes, I've taken classes at other online schools and although they are OK, I think VU in much more personable.  Jannetta D.

I am simply overwhelmed. I spent nearly four hours studying my first lesson in three classes. I got the education for my money in just one day. Thanks for the opportunity to learn through the wonders of the technology. If only many universities were like VU, the world would have been a better place. Keep it up, VU, I am anxiously waiting for the next course calendar!  Jyotish B.

Thanks VU for a job well done. I know all of your students and alumni will agree that without VU and its volunteers, we would still be in the dark ages! Looking forward to many classes at VU!  Cheryl B.

I am writing to express my thanks for all that you and others at Virtual U have done to make this learning opportunity possible. The giving of your time, and the generous sharing of your knowledge has been a great help in getting me started using the Internet to trace my roots. It's never too late to start. I'm 73 years old!  Paul N.

I am so excited about finding your school on the Net. This is just what I've been searching for. The classes are so incredibly well organized and informative. I'm so grateful that you wonderful people have created this place where someone like me can go to school. Thanks from the inside of my soul.  Tina K.

I have been a student of Virtual U, three terms now and I must say I just love it. You guys are the best thing on the Net!  Dawn S.

I have been reading my lessons and find it truly wonderful. They are well written and go directly to the jugular. As a technical writer, I certainly appreciate the efforts put in. I look forward to participating in this course and take this opportunity to thank VU.  Guru K.

I am so impressed that we have so many students from all over the world at VU. What a testament to what the future can hold for the world, that we can come together and help one another learn. And what a testament to VU and the visionaries who started all this, to have created such a place. The power is the people coming together in mutual respect, compassion and co-operation.  Janice H.

You have refined distance learning to the point that it is sheer beauty here. Reinforcement and guidance is always given without acrimony. I have learned as much about presentation in this new medium as I have about web design...this has been (and is) one of the most valuable learning experiences of my life.  Claire C.

I want to thank you all from the bottom of my country heart for making all of this possible. With my work schedule it is impossible for me to attend a regular college, and with my husband having been out of work (handicapped) for eight years, well, you can see the money problem. Your university has allowed me to learn again, and opened the world to me in a way I never knew possible. God bless and keep each and every one of you. With a grateful heart,  Ramanth

I'm soooo happy that there are classes like this at VU that I and other Net users can benefit from. Every time I read a lesson or receive mail from VU, I really feel privileged. Sharing knowledge is just about the best thing that a person can do. I've noticed a pervasive attitude of helpfulness in both the students and staff at VU.  Adina P.

VU is still one of the best kept secrets on the WWW. If one wants to learn, you can not find a better way. I want to express my deepest appreciation for your support of students that want to learn.  Carl L.

To the "Knowledge Navigators" at Virtual U: I cam across your site doing some research for my EdD (focus: on-line learning). Not only is your site and concepts superb, but as a sociologist I appreciate and fully subscribe to your philosophy - GREAT!!! Keep up the good work. I look forward to being able to contribute to your noble venture.  Henk E.

I have just finished a spring class at VU. I can't tell you how grateful I am to be able to take a class for just $15.00 and am glad to pay this small fee. If I took a class at a private school or even our community college, it would cost many, many times more than $15.00.  Kathleen R.

This is my second term at VU. Greatest bunch of people in the world get together here.  Holly B.

I am so much happy today that I can not express in words. I used to wander here and there in the Web looking for knowledge. I am not sure whether you know something about Nepal, Nepal is the second poorest country in the world and life is very difficulty here in Nepal. In this situation, your classes has been source of much happiness.  Kiran

The instruction was wonderful, and the friendships I made were even more valuable. It's hard to believe the semester is over!  June M.

The amount of things we learned here through is VU is tremendous! To our instructor, congratulations on a job well done! Hope to return in the future!  Gloria S.

It's hard to believe how much we have learned in the past few weeks. The teaching has been top drawer. I never would have found so much information or links or help on my own. VU is a godsend. The people and instructors are terrific. Thanks so much.  Janet H.

Thank you for a very interesting and indepth treatment of the Internet. I have used the Net rather intensely for more than a year and thought that I knew a good deal about it -- but now I am considerably more knowledgeable. You made the subject interesting and timely. I know a lot of work went into your presentation and I appreciate it.  Paul W.

It hardly seems possible that the course is over. It has been a most interesting and educational experience, and I want to thank you for all the effort that went in to creating the program. I didn't think I would learn much from the course, and boy was I surprised!  Murray H.

This is my third time at VU taking a writing class and I have learned so much. One of the assignments was to "write a Christmas story in July" -- this Christmas, that story will be published in a local magazine that has a worldwide readership. I gained confidence and had fun along the way. You get out of the courses what you put in, and more often than not there are surprise benefits in the end. All my big successes so far have come since I found VU. The biggest one is that now I really do consider myself a writer.  Sandi D.

I enjoyed your Visual Basic class very much. I didn't expect much at the beginning because VU is over the internet and courses are cheap, but I quickly changed my mind. I learned a lot, for which I am very grateful. I've recommended the course to a friend of mine, who is a complete beginner.  Arthur C.

Thanks for being here and offering great programs! The Internet 101 class was GGRRRREAT! Well worth its price. Y'all are doing a really wonderful job and a super service!  Gay L.

VU is really a great site. I compliment your hard work and excellent presentation. Emphasizing the contributions your endeavors have and will continue to make, please keep up this superb effort.  Lee B.

I took a class at VU in the fall. It was GREAT! Being new, at first I felt lost and alone but caught on fast. VU has made it easy to do so. A lot of questions are answered in the lessons and on the classroom bulletin board. I'm looking forward to taking more classes.  Mikeal

The most important element of evaluating a service isn't whether or not it's perfect and problem free. This is the real world, after all. Most important is, when they are not, whether the company addressed the problem adequately and in a timely manner. You have done both and my impression of VU is *very* positive. My sincere thanks!  Donna M.

I've learned much at VU about HTML, web design, writing, and many other good things. I've also made some very dear friends. I have found this to be a thriving, loving, supportive, cooperative, sharing, generous place to learn.  Verlie

VU has certainly made learning fun. I got all that I expected from my class and a lot more. Not only were the lessons planned well and the field trips great, but I have made several new friends. Thanks for a fine job.  Everett A.

I really like being able to learn stuff whenever I can squeeze in some time at the computer. Since I work two jobs and have a farm and household to run, my schedule doesn't match anyone else's - I' m tickled to be able to turn the machine on at 3AM or whenever, and have my "class" ready for me. I have had fun with each of several classes that I've taken.  Sue L.

Just a note to commend VU on a great job...organizationally, professionally, and educationally. I enrolled in two of your courses and gained enough insight and knowledge to design a "credible" web page for the company in which I work.  Gus M.

As an officer of a PC Users Group, I thank all whose efforts have gone into the VU site. I intend to publish some articles about your site to encourage members to visit and learn on their own. I have already specifically sent some individuals, and will continue to do so. Again, thanks to those whose efforts have made this learning facility possible. Pass around the plate of Kudos!!!!  Sherry N.

I would like to express my deep appreciation to you and VU for providing such an outstanding vehicle with which to educate! Someday, I hope to return the favor by volunteering my services to help VU continue to be a model forum for education.  Edward S.

I want to thank you for a very insightful, helpful and enjoyable class. I feel I have learned so much from it! Keep up the great work!  Pam H.

I want to congratulate you on the quality of the lessons that you have prepared. I am a head teacher in Office Administration and Information Technology at TAFE in Australia and appreciate the work, effort and time that goes into creating a resource such as this. I am really enjoying all the classes I have enrolled in.  Kathleen M.

To the "Writing for Publication" Professor: I know that yours is all too often a thankless job; writing to a blank screen, hoping to inspire a student out in Virtual-land. I don't know how often your students have thanked you, but I wanted to write and let you know that I finally am published - and all thanks to your advice. It is a small paper, but I have a tough editor who left the big city to make a home town paper classy. I write at odd hours, with much caffeine (and am certainly not paying the bills), but I am doing what I love - and am loving it. Thank you for your hutzpah, your butt-kicking, and your encouragement. I really appreciate it.  Marion C.

I commend VU and it's instructors. The time and effort you put into these classes has not gone unnoticed -- a mountain of a job, yet you make it look so easy. Your patience with us is unbelievable. Thank you for being there for us.  Edgar W.

One of the most meaningful experiences that I have had with Virtual University's classes has been participating in study groups. Over the years I have been involved in several. The conversations and the sharing of knowledge have always been meaningful. In one writing class, our study group because quite close and carried the study group over into another class. Since then, we have continued the group outside of VU. We continue to have almost daily contact as a circle of friends and as a writer's support group, even though we are spread out across North America. So I encourage you to join a VU study group. You just never know what you might learn or what friendships you might develop as a result of it.  Chris H.

Wanted to say how much I appreciate what you are doing for us at VU. You have truly made classes easily accessible for everyone. Please keep up the fantastic work.  Gloria V.

I am a professor at UCLA and wanted to let you know that you are doing a great job. You have fulfilled a dream I talked about years ago but didn't have the hardware to get it going. I'm glad you did the job, and I know how much work it is to run something like this. Be assured a LOT of folks are better off for your work.  Bill U.

You folks are making GREAT strides. I took a course recently and I thought at the time that I'd like to see certain changes. You must be mind readers - you made them! Keep up the good work.   Bob B.

The last class I took at VU was excellent and I am back for more. I learned more in that class than in twenty years of searching. Thank you so much. You were wonderful! God bless.  Patricia F.

I took my first HTML class from VU and I not only have my own web site but I am now running 3 county sites for the IAGenWeb Project and 4 web sites for the World GenWeb Project (Japan, Mexico, Nigeria, and Peru). You can do it! Go for it!  Carol M.

I am so glad I found VU. You are providing a valuable service to those who are just getting started in online computing on the Internet. In addition to the valuable knowledge I am gaining, I'm meeting some terrific people from all over the world. My faith in humanity has been renewed as I have seen all the help provided by neighbor to neighbor without any regard to the person's station in life. You show the best in human nature in the service you provide, and in the way you bring people together.  Herbert C.

I just wanted to say that I put up a web page---a project I am not sure I would have tackled without this class. Thanks so much for this class. Now maybe I will attack those HTML tomes in my bookcase (They don't seem so intimidating anymore!).  Teresa

I am greatly enjoying your wise orientation on Creative Writing. I can perceive we are being guided by a master who deeply knows the subject and the art of transmitting this knowledge to the students. Thank you very very much for your efforts. I will try to deserve them.  Alcides A.

Thought I'd drop you a line expressing my appreciation for what you are offering to everyone on the web. It is a real pleasure to be a part of Virtual University. Not only do you hone our skills and brains, but you promote a caring attitude towards other human beings. I have never met a bunch of nicer, harder working, or more humanitarian people than those at VU.  Kathy F.

My first online learning experience at VU was simply mind-blowing. You were a wonderful lot, all of you. My special thanks to Granny- Wicked and Eagle for giving me that initial encouragement. (I really needed that!) Hope to meet you in the next class.  Wood S.

As a past university instructor of French and Spanish, I can tell you that you did a very good job with the six weeks of Italian 101 lessons. I have supplemented them with Italian tapes. I learned quite a bit and I would like to see that VU offers a second course of this language with you as an instructor. Thank you for all your work.  Denise E.

A small thank you note to the instructors of the HTML course. The lessons were excellent and well organized. I have since created a web site for our school and used much of the knowledge gained from your course. Thank you very much for a course well taught. I enjoyed every minute of it and will definitely enroll in future courses from VU. What a fantastic service to the world!  Ron K.

Just wanted to send you a note and express my thanks to you for what you are doing at VU. I was involved with another online learning school for a while...VU is a thousand times better than this other online junk I was involved with.  Curtis M.

The class 'Writing for Fun and Profit' has literally changed my life. The instructors are real and caring.  Georgianne

I am writing to say how very much I enjoyed your course! I would like to thank VU and its volunteers for all that you have done to help me - for giving of so much of your time, expertise and patience! It still amazes me when I reflect on how much my life has changed since taking your "Mastering the Internet" course back in 1997!  Jenny T.

I want to thank all the individuals who are responsible for the Virtual U newsletter and the VU web site. This is the way to go into the next century...with unconditional love and caring for the global village. The intention and spirit of all of this always brightens my day and inspires me to operate on a more caring and aware level.  Judy