Sue McLane Named Business Educator of the Year
By Southern Business Education Association

CONTACT: SUE MCLANE, EXT. 2168

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 11/7/2001
(By Lisa Garrett)

PENDLETON --- Sue McLane received the Postsecondary Educator of the Year Award from the Southern Business Education Association October 26, her third accolade this year recognizing her dedication as a teacher, instructional developer and advisor to students at Tri-County Technical College.

McLane, who has been an Office Systems Technology (OST) instructor at Tri-County for 26 years, competed against nominees from 12 states in the Southern region. She was honored at a Leadership Awards Luncheon during the Association's 75th annual convention in Mobile, Alabama.

Earlier this year McLane received the S.C. Business Education Association's Post Secondary Teacher of the Year Award, in addition to Tri-County's Presidential Medallion for Instructional Excellence, the highest award presented to the faculty, at the College's commencement.

"Sue is a shining example of the faculty at Tri-County Technical College," said Dr. Don C. Garrison, president of Tri-County. "She is the type of person who promotes harmony among fellow faculty, staff, administrators and students. Her patience with students is unparalleled, and she goes out of her way to be available outside the classroom when students have questions. No matter how busy, she's always willing to lend a helping hand."

Mrs. McLane began teaching part time at the College in 1975 and five years later joined the OST department full time. She developed and taught the very first computer course in the department and continues to be a leader in curriculum development.

"Consistently, year after year, I can rely on Sue to take initiative and follow through on course development," said Gracie McLaughlin, Office Systems Technology department head and last year's recipient of the SCBEA award. "She truly is a team player. I feel very fortunate to have someone of Sue's caliber as a faculty member in our department."

McLane's professionalism is recognized by faculty and staff. Her students describe her as a "patient, caring instructor who is accessible and willing to provide support and assistance" when they need it. One student wrote: "She consistently demonstrates professionalism in her job and is willing to help at a moment's notice. I consider her an outstanding teacher in every way and an excellent role model for the professional world."

At the College, she has served on the Instructional Affairs Committee for the past two years. For five years, she served as advisor to the Alpha Zeta Beta honor society on campus. In 2000 she was honored with a NISOD Excellence Award in
recognition of her outstanding contributions to teaching and learning

In addition to the South Carolina Business Education Association, she is a member of numerous professional development organizations including the Southern Business Education Association, National Business Education Association and the South Carolina Technical Education Association.

She is a past member of the Daniel High School Business Education Advisory Committee and the Oconee County Business Education Advisory Council. She served as a facilitator at the 2000 SCBEA conference and a judge for the community service project for the state Future Business Leaders of America competition.

She is a member of the Oconee Memorial Hospital Auxiliary where she serves as a front desk volunteer.

She holds a B. S. in Business Education from Georgia Southern University and a master's degree in Education from Clemson University. She and her husband, Louie, live in Seneca and have three sons.
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