Date Posted: December 13, 2023
Julie Gates, Forensic Science Instructor at Southern Crescent Technical College, was recently named the 2024 Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Education during a luncheon held November 28, 2023 on the Griffin Campus. The Rick Perkins Award is the equivalent to being named Instructor of the Year at Southern Crescent Technical College.
Gates stated that she “was extremely honored to be named the Rick Perkins winner, although she shares this honor with all of the dedicated instructors at the College.”
The Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical instruction is awarded annually and is designed to recognize and honor technical college instructors who make significant contributions to technical education through innovation and leadership in their fields. Instructors are nominated for the Rick Perkins Award by their peers and competition among instructors occurs at the college, regional, and state levels.
Dr. Irvin Clark, President of Southern Crescent Technical College, stated, “Ms. Gates has been recognized as Southern Crescent Technical College’s Rick Perkins winner because of her conscientiousness and genuine commitment as an instructor. I have witnessed her dedication to student learning, high professional standards, and cooperative spirit. Her teaching methods and techniques are innovative and she encourages her students to achieve at their highest level. Ms. Gates is an excellent representation of the quality faculty and staff at Southern Crescent Technical College and we wish her well as she goes on to represent the College at the next level of competition.”
In addition to Gates, finalists for the Rick Perkins Award included Amy Adams, Associate of Science in Nursing Instructor; Billy Elliot, Jr. Carpentry/Construction Management/Plumbing Instructor; and Dr. Damon McCoy, Psychology Instructor.
Gates and other nominees were judged by a group of outside individuals. After winning the school title, Gates will represent Southern Crescent Technical College as an ambassador for technical education as she moves on to regional and state competition. The state Rick Perkins winner will be announced in April.
