Haikal and Vaughan GNTC’s 2012 Award Winners

Roger Haikal has been selected as Georgia Northwestern Technical College’s 2012 GOAL Winner and Sharon Vaughan has been named the college’s 2012 Rick Perkins Instructor of the Year.

The honors were made during the Seven Hills Rotary Club meeting at Coosa Country Club on Feb. 7. The awards were sponsored and presented by the Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce, the Seven Hills Rotary Club of Rome, and the GNTC Student Leadership Council.

Mr.

Haikal, a Management and Supervisory Development student, was nominated by his instructor Gerald McFry. He was selected, from a group of four finalists, for his presentation on why he chose technical education by a panel of judges representing business, industry, and higher education in northwest Georgia.  In his presentation, Mr. Haikal explained that technical college is an affordable, practical, and convenient way for members of the workforce to further their education and skill set.

“Technical College was a good choice for me because the flexible nature allowed me to incorporate education into my current lifestyle and schedule,” said Mr. Haikal.  “Technical College also provided me with a way to obtain education in my field much more quickly than a traditional four year degree would have.”

“Roger is just as outstanding scholastically as he is personally,” said Mr. McFry.  “No one is more appreciative of the educational opportunity he has been given, and he will be an outstanding representative for GNTC and the Technical College System of Georgia.”

As the 2012 GOAL Winner for Georgia Northwestern, Mr. Haikal will move to the regional competition and if he is chosen as a regional winner, he will compete at the state level against winners from the other regions of Georgia.  As GNTC’s GOAL winner, he will receive an all-expense-paid trip to Atlanta in April.  A panel of leaders from business, industry, and government will choose the Technical College System of Georgia’s GOAL winner for 2012 and recipient of the GOAL medallion.  The grand prize also includes a new automobile, donated by Chevrolet, for the winner to travel around Georgia. The 2012 Student of the Year and state GOAL winner will serve as the TCSG’s student ambassador during a number of system and college functions throughout the year.  The winner will also have a chance to speak before the Georgia General Assembly and receive a personal commendation from the governor.

Mr. Haikal was chosen from an outstanding group of GNTC students including Devon Armstrong, Cosmetology; Mary Gronek, Cosmetology; Robert Hanson, Radiologic Technology; Claire Harris, Medical Assisting; Norval Henderson, Marketing Management; Vicky Laney, Marketing Management; Kimberly Laney, Business Management; Jairo Lerma, Management and Supervisory Development; Whitley Martin, Marketing Management; Charlotte Peach, Radiologic Technology; Vincent Riela, Networking Specialist; Jenny Rodgers, Marketing Management; Sherry Russell, Marketing Management; Chianti Stansell, Business Administrative Technology; Holly Wright, Nursing; and Renee York, Criminal Justice.

Ms. Vaughan, clinical coordinator and instructor of Medical Assisting, was selected as GNTC’s 2012 Rick Perkins Instructor of the Year because of her presentation about the value of technical education. She was chosen from among five other outstanding GNTC instructors including:  Ronda Cox, instructor of English and Learning Support Mathematics; Darice Lewis, instructor of Computer Information Systems, Georgia Virtual Technical College assistant coordinator, and Polk County campus manager; Gerald McFry, program director and instructor of Business Management; and Diane Nance, instructor of Radiologic Technology.

Ms. Vaughan has been an instructor for Georgia Northwestern Technical College since 2003.  Prior to joining GNTC, she was manager and founder of Harbin Clinic’s Department of Clinical Research; charge/staff registered nurse at Floyd Medical Center and Redmond Regional Medical Center. Ms. Vaughan is currently a staff nurse at Floyd Medical Center In-Patient Surgery Unit. 

“Sharon exemplifies the qualities in an instructor that make Georgia Northwestern Technical College a success,” said Beverly Padgett, GNTC Rick Perkins coordinator.  “She has both dedication and a high work ethic. Additionally, her empathic nature toward her students creates an environment where they not only learn, but enjoy their time in her classes! She is respected by both her students and her peers.”

“I was surprised and so pleased by the nomination, and shocked to be chosen the winner,” said Ms. Vaughan.  “I couldn’t be more excited to represent GNTC as Instructor of the Year.”

“Sharon’s cheery attitude, her interpersonal skills, and the way she interacts with students make her a role model to her peers,” said Bobby Lewis, program director and instructor for Neuromuscular Therapy.  Lewis nominated Vaughan for the award.  “I’m inspired by her organization skills and her attention to detail.”

As GNTC’s Rick Perkins Instructor of the Year, Ms. Vaughan will compete in the regional competition.  If chosen as a regional winner, she will compete at the state level in the competition.  A panel of leaders from business, industry, and government will choose one instructor to be the Technical College System of Georgia’s Rick Perkins Instructor of the Year.  The winner will receive a $1,000 cash prize.

The Rick Perkins Award winner serves as an ambassador for technical education in Georgia. He or she will make many public appearances throughout the year including addresses to the Georgia General Assembly, the Governor, and the Georgia Technical College System Leadership Conference.

The last state winners to represent Georgia Northwestern Technical College were 2004 Rick Perkin’s winner, Beverly Padgett, and 1993 GOAL winner, Robin Hood Hutson.