Spring Meeting 2006 - Award Winners

The National Association of State Directors of Career Technical Education Consortium (NASDCTEc) has selected, based on their outstanding and extraordinary contributions to the field of career technical education, its 2006 Star of Education Awards winners.

NASDCTEc’s annual Star of Education Awards are given to those who have helped raise the level of excellence in career technical education through their dedicated work, achievements as a student, business practices, or teaching abilities. The winners will be honored on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 at 4:30 p.m. during the association’s 2006 Spring Conference at the Hilton Washington, 1919 Connecticut Ave., NW, Washington, DC.

The award winners are as follows:

Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY), for her tireless efforts to improve education in New York, protect federal funding for career technical education (CTE), and for her advocacy during the reauthorization of the Perkins Act, is the recipient of the 2006 NASDCTEc Distinguished Service-Congressional award.
Dr. Catherine Crowley, Vice President of the Maryland Hospital Association, who has ardently supported economic and workforce development and worked to recruit and retain health care professionals in critical shortage areas, is the recipient of the 2006 NASDCTEc Distinguished Service- Individual award.
The Construction Education Foundation of Georgia, whose giant strides towards ensuring that construction programs in Georgia have changed from “shop” classes to courses that teach the skills required by the construction industry, is the recipient of the 2006 NASDCTEc Distinguished Service- Business, Industry, Labor Organization or Association award.
Mr. David R. Bunting, Executive Director of Secondary Programs at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, IA, is the recipient of the 2006 NASDCTEc Distinguished Service – Postsecondary Educator award for his dedicated work in developing several models to strengthen partnerships between business and career technical education.
Dr. Roger Gustafson, Director of CTE Programs at Delta Schoolcraft Intermediate School District and regional CTE administrator for Delta, Schoolcraft, and Menominee counties, is the recipient of the 2006 NASDCTEc Distinguished Service – Secondary Educator award for serving the students of career technical education for over 40 years.
Ms. Pam Hawkins, an instructor in the Business Office Technology program at Georgia Technical College, is the recipient of the 2006 NASDCTEc Distinguished Service – Postsecondary Instructor award for her innovative teaching techniques and dedicated work with dually enrolled CTE students.
Mrs. Annette Hays, a Family and Consumer Sciences instructor in the state of Arkansas, is the recipient of the 2006 NASDCTEc Distinguished Service – Secondary Teacher award for her promotion of technology in the classroom, as well as for her dedication to ensure that her students are well informed and prepared as they graduate from high school.
Mrs. Velda “Cindy” Kuhn, a student of the Accounting Assistant program at North Idaho College, is the recipient of the 2006 NASDCTEc Distinguished Service-Postsecondary Student award for her committed student leadership and work to increase the awareness of postsecondary Business Professionals of America (BPA).
Mr. Kevin Tucker, a dedicated Business Professional of America (BPA) leader and national officer, vice-president of his senior high school class, and achievement as a BPA National Merit Scholar, is the recipient of the 2006 NASDCTEc Distinguished Service-Secondary Student award.
Dr. Stephen B. Franks, for his committed work to career technical education by serving as a State Director in two states, and leadership within NASDCTEc, is the recipient of the 2006 NASDCTEc Honorary Emeritus Status award.

In congratulating the award winners on their hard work and achievements, NASDCTEc Executive Director Kimberly Green said: “NASDCTEc is pleased to honor each of the awardees for their hard work and dedication to career technical education. Each of the Stars of Education award recipients was chosen by our members, and we are happy to highlight their dedication and success stories.”

Founded in 1920, the National Association of State Directors of Career Technical Education Consortium is the Washington DC-based professional society of the state and territory agency heads responsible for career technical education. The state directors are committed to leadership and results. The association has a growing membership of over 200 members who share the State Directors’ commitment to quality education at the secondary, post secondary and adult levels.