The SCTCC Auto Body department made a big showing at the Minnesota State Transportation Center of Excellence (TCOE) 2021 Awards. Leanne Pearson won the Academic Professional of the year award, and Dale DeRung won the Hall of Fame award.
Pearson has been the Auto Body Lab Assistant at SCTCC for more than six years. The Academic Professional award recognizes exemplary job performance through high quality work and steadfast support of transportation-related educational programs.
DeRung retired from SCTCC this past year after 31 years. The Hall of Fame award commemorates lifetime contributions to transportation education in Minnesota.
Award recipients are nominated by their peers and selected by the TCOE Awards committee each spring. The awards will be formally presented at the Midwest Teachers of Transportation & Industrial Areas conference in August.
The Transportation Center of Excellence is one of eight centers hosted by Minnesota State that collaborates with industry and educators to attract and prepare students for careers in industries that face serious workforce challenges.