North Georgia Technical College recently announced photography instructor Jim Loring of Clayton as the winner of the 2017 Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Instruction.
The Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Instruction has been an ongoing statewide event since 1991 and is designed to recognize technical college instructors who make significant contributions to technical education through innovation and leadership in their fields. Formerly known as the Commissioner’s Award of Excellence, the award was renamed in honor and memory of Thomas “Rick” Perkins, an instructor at West Central Technical College, who received the Commissioner’s Award of Excellence prior to his untimely death.
Each year faculty and staff at NGTC nominate instructors who exemplify excellence in teaching. The nominees participate in a series of interviews which help determine the winner. The instructor chosen to receive the award will go on to represent the college at the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Education competition in the spring.
Loring’s teaching experience began in 1997 when he taught photojournalism as part of the journalism program at Surrey Institute of Art & Design in the United Kingdom. He has taught a full range of courses including photojournalism and commercial photography at NGTC since 2007.
Loring’s photographic experience spans more than thirty years with over 70 assignments worldwide. In 1987 he covered stories in Romania documenting the impact of Nicolae Ceauşescu’s resettlement policy. This led to opportunities with some of the world’s leading relief and development agencies including Care International, World Vision, Save the Children and Tearfund UK, where he later became the organizations photographic editor.
His photography continues to follow the themes embraced by many relief agencies - healthcare, concern for the environment, disasters, food programs, water projects, work, education, reconciliation and the challenge of war and conflict.
“Jim’s story is an intriguing one, as he began his career as an international humanitarian photographer before transitioning into technical education,” said NGTC President Dr. Mark Ivester. “He continues to be very involved in humanitarian issues and, in his spare time, has self-initiated a variety of assignments to help with overseas relief efforts. Jim consistently demonstrates thoughtfulness, strong leadership skills, collaborative abilities and a genuine compassion for his students and their success. I believe Jim’s unique background, coupled with a genuine love of teaching and instilling his students with a strong sense of direction and purpose, make him an ideal recipient of the Rick Perkins award.”
Other instructors nominated for the 2017 Rick Perkins award were accounting instructor Dustin Emhart, general education instructor Jack Treadman and commercial driver’s license and electrical line instructor Hoyt Winkler.
For more information about NGTC’s photography program which offers diplomas, certificates and degrees, visit northgatech.edu or call 706-754-7700.
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