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The State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia has recognized Albany Technical College for being one of three finalists for the board’s Perdue Award for the Technical College of the Year for 2012.

Atlanta Technical College was the board’s choice for the top award, which was announced during the board’s monthly meeting in Atlanta on December 6. Albany Technical College was the other runnerup for the award.

Albany Tech President Dr. Anthony O. Parker accepted a resolution from TCSG State Board Chair Lynn Cornett honoring the college’s record of achievement during the past year. Cornett praised the efforts of the faculty and staff at Albany Technical College and thanked them for providing their students with a world-class technical education that leads to skilled careers in Georgia’s workforce.

“The members of the State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia are proud to recognize Albany Technical College as a finalist for Georgia’s 2012 Technical College of the Year,” said Cornett. “We commend President Parker and his faculty and staff for their many accomplishments during the past year. Their strong commitment to technical and adult education and devotion to the success of their students is why Albany Tech is widely known and respected for developing graduates who are in high-demand by Georgia’s businesses and industries.”

Each year, the TCSG State Board evaluates the system’s 25 technical colleges based on almost two dozen performance categories, including enrollment in technical and adult education programs, student retention and graduation rates, licensure pass rates, national awards, and administrative efficiencies.

The top-rated college receives the Perdue Award for the Georgia Technical College of the Year while the two runners-up receive a board resolution recognizing their success.

The award is named in honor of former Governor Sonny Perdue for his many years of support for the technical colleges and their mission of workforce development through technical and adult education.