Gwinnett Tech Names 2008 Instructor of the Year

Dr. Bonnie Ballard, program director of Gwinnett Technical College's Veterinary Technology program, has been named the college's 2008 Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Education honoree.

The Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Instruction honors technical education's most outstanding instructors. The award has been an ongoing statewide program since 1991 and is designed to recognize and honor technical college instructors who make significant contributions to technical education through innovation and leadership in their fields.

"Dr. Ballard has been an active champion of technical education and an innovative leader of Gwinnett Tech's Veterinary Technology Program. Under her direction, the program has earned accreditation by the American Association of Veterinary Medicine, and program graduates have earned and maintained a perfect 100 percent pass rate on the Veterinary Technician National Examination. She's a very deserving honoree," says Sharon Bartels, Gwinnett Tech president.

Dr. Ballard joined Gwinnett Tech in 1995 as an adjunct faculty member and became director of the Veterinary Technology program in 1997. Gwinnett Tech's program, which combines in-class education with active clinical site training, was the first of its kind in the nation that did not house animals on campus. A member of both the American and Georgia Veterinary Medical Associations, Dr. Ballard was also honored with the Rick Perkins Award in 2001 and with the Lighthouse Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2000. She earned a doctorate of veterinary medicine degree from the University of Georgia.

"I chose to teach in a technical college because I can help students achieve their dreams in a relatively short period of time. My proudest moments are when I reflect on knowing that our graduates are learning information and skills that will be directly applicable to a job in our field…I tell everyone that technical colleges are where the winners go!," says Dr. Ballard.

Gwinnett Tech offers an associate of applied science degree in Veterinary Technology. For more information on this program, or any of GTC's 140 program options, call 770-962-7580 or visit www.GwinnettTech.edu.
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