Vinson Burdette Honored with Presidential Medallion for
Staff Excellence At Tri-County Technical College

CONTACT: VINSON BURDETTE, EXT. 2166

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 8/20/99
(By Lisa Garrett)

PENDLETON --- Vinson Burdette, former coordinator of counseling services at Tri-County Technical College, was honored Thursday with the highest award given for staff excellence at the College.

Mr. Burdette, of Anderson, received the Presidential Medallion for Staff Excellence at the annual faculty/staff breakfast August 19. The medallion goes to a person who has demonstrated over and over a strong belief in the purpose and mission of the College.

Mr. Burdette began his first semester as an English instructor this month. Since 1997 he has served as coordinator of Counseling Services when his responsibilities included directing and facilitating counseling activities within the College. He and his staff directed and provided job placement services, planned and coordinated freshman orientation, and coordinated student activities. For the past three years, he also supervised a grant which gives area eighth grade students and their parents information about opportunities for higher education in the state. The College has received the grant for three consecutive years from the Commission on Higher Education.

Mr. Burdette joined the College in 1995 as a counselor.

"I have received numerous notes, memos, and calls from faculty, staff and students concerning the professional service Vinson provides," Glenn Hellenga, the College's director of counseling, said in his written nomination. "His willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty is well known to everyone Vinson has worked with. Tri-County is fortunate to have someone with the versatility of Vinson.

Mr. Hellenga continued: "When I think of someone who embodies the spirit of Tri-County, Vinson comes to mind immediately. He buys into the philosophy of the College wholeheartedly in what he does and the way he does it. His commitment is apparent in the selfless way he quietly goes about providing professional service."

Mr. Burdette has been overseeing the College's Technical Advanced Study (TAS) program whereby high school seniors take college courses. Last year he taught freshman courses, English 101 and 102, at Easley High School for seniors who wanted to gain college credit.

He chairs the College's advisory committee on Alcohol and Other Drug Issues. He was the College's nominee for outstanding support staff at the South Carolina Technical Education Association conference earlier this year.

As the Student Government Association advisor, he led the Student Government Association to recognition as the best in the Tech System at last year's fall Leadership Conference.

He regularly attends professional development opportunities and in the past year he made presentations at the New Directions Conference at Piedmont Technical College and the College's Curriculum Workshop.

Prior to joining Tri-County, Mr. Burdette was a prevention specialist for the Pickens County Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse.

He graduated cum laude from Winthrop University where he was a member of Sigma Tau Delta. He also holds a master of arts degree in professional communication from Clemson University. He just completed a graduate course at Clemson University,

He is a member of Carolina Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (CACRAO) and the South Carolina Technical Education Association. He is a former member of the Association of Volunteer Administrators.

He and his wife, Carla, have three children.
-30-