Staffers Receive Awards

Pictured (L to R) Director Mark Powers and Golden Hammer award winner Tanya Huff

At its December inservice meeting, the Tennessee Technology Center at Dickson noted an employment milestone and bestowed honors on several more.

Director Mark Powers presented a service award to Betty LaRose for 10 years of service in the Student Services department. LaRose is the Financial Aid Officer for the school. She’s a Dickson resident.

Powers tapped Human Resources/Financial Services Coordinator Tanya Huff for the center’s Golden Hammer award. The annual award recognizes an individual’s commitment, dedication and leadership toward achieving the institution’s mission. Huff is a White Bluff resident.

Powers praised Assistant Director Warner Taylor and new Welding/Pipefitting Instructor Wayne Spann for successfully getting the program up and running and for securing national accreditation with the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER).

The TTC staff noted the efforts of three staffers who spearheaded the annual food drive: Automotive Technology Instructor Shane Hunter and Maintenance staff member Sue Spann on the Dickson main campus and Student Services Counselor Lisa Sullivan on the Clarksville campus. TTC Dickson came in first in a head-to-head competition with the larger technology centers across the state. TTC Dickson raised 13,857 units to win the competition.

Powers presented a plaque to Student of the Year Tim Dodson. Dodson is a member of the Machine Tool Technology program at the school’s Clarksville campus. His instructor is Kim McPherson.

The director praised the work of the entire staff, noting that the most recent accreditation report indicated all on-ground programs met the completion, placement and licensure requirements of the Council on Occupational Education (COE). TTC Dickson has been a member of COE for almost 40 years. It’s the leading accreditor of technical schools in the country.

COE requires that every program within the school meet a student graduation rate of at least 60%, a placement rate of at least 70% and a licensure attainment rate of at least 70%. TTC Dickson’s schoolwide average was 78.5% completion, 79% placement and 97% licensure for the 2011-12 year.

Pictured (L to R at left below) Director Mark Powers and Betty LaRose

Pictured (center photo) Director Mark Powers (at far right) making award presentation to Warner Taylor (center) and Wayne Spann (at left) for successfully getting the new Welding/Pipefitting program certified.

Pictured (L to R at right below) Director Mark Powers and Student of the Year Tim Dodson