MOULTRIE — Moultrie Technical College radiologic technology instructor and program director Alfred Jones of Norman Park was recently selected by his peers at MTC as the school’s nominee for the state Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Instruction. Jones teaches at the college’s Industrial Drive campus in Moultrie.

“I am humbled by the experience for which God has afforded me. I give Him all the glory. To be chosen as the Rick Perkins instructor of the year is most rewarding,” said Jones. “It is an honor as well as a privilege to represent Moultrie Technical College in this endeavor. Commitment, dedication and hard work are the cornerstones of excellence.”

MTC business administrative technology instructor Susan Davis of the Tifton Campus and esthetics instructor Penny Copeland of the Moultrie Veterans Parkway Campus were also finalists for the 2012 award at Moultrie Tech.

“We are proud of the excellent faculty at Moultrie Tech, and Alfred Jones is a perfect choice to represent all faculty. His knowledge in his field coupled with his teaching skills is one of the main reasons that our radiologic technology students repeatedly have 100 percent pass rates on the state registry exam,” said MTC President Tina Anderson.

Jones added, “I chose to teach in a technical college because it provides an opportunity to impact the lives of a diverse group of students. I provide content-specific knowledge that helps develop on-the-job training skills, real world problem-solving skills, and marketable skills. These necessary skills translate into a real job which elevates the economic status of each student. This process is rewarding to me because I actually have a hand in each student’s life-changing experience.”

 Named in memory of Thomas “Rick” Perkins, an instructor at West Central Technical College who received the Department of Technical & Adult Education Commissioner’s Award of Excellence prior to his untimely death, the award is the Technical College System of Georgia’s (TCSG) version of an “instructor of the year” honor.  It is presented to the person who has shown the most dedication to the job, commitment to students, and skill in the classroom.

Annually, all 25 technical colleges, plus a Regents system school with a technical division, nominate an instructor to represent their colleges for the statewide honor. Nominees then compete on a regional basis.  

Jones will compete with instructors from Albany Tech, Altamaha Tech, Bainbridge College’s technical division, Okefenokee Tech, Savannah Tech, South Georgia Tech, Southwest Georgia Tech, and Wiregrass Georgia Tech for the South Georgia regional title on Feb. 23 at Moultrie Tech’s Tifton Campus.  

Finalists from each technical college region will be announced prior to TCSG’s GOAL awards week in April and will go on to compete for the state honor during that week in Atlanta.

The state Rick Perkins Award winner serves as an ambassador for technical education in Georgia. He or she will make public appearances throughout the year including addresses to the Georgia General Assembly and the Georgia Technical College System Leadership Conference in the fall.

Jones earned a diploma in radiologic technology at Valdosta Technical College in 1974 and went on to gain an associate degree of applied science in radiologic technology from Valdosta State University (VSU) in 1992. In 1994, he continued his education at VSU and earned a bachelor of science in education. Jones added to his teaching credentials in 2010 by obtaining a master’s degree in education with a specialization in professional studies in education from Capella University out of Minneapolis, Minn.

Prior to joining the faculty at Moultrie Tech in 2001, he worked as a staff radiographer for 24 years at Colquitt Regional Medical Center in Moultrie. During his two-decade stint at CRMC, Jones worked as the clinical coordinator for Moultrie Tech’s radiologic technology program, which is affiliated with the hospital. In this role, he evaluated, tested and instructed students while coordinating on-site training activities for them.

His additional duties at CRMC included assisting physicians with exams and preparing the radiographic room for fluoroscopic exams. Jones also facilitated instruction for cardiopulmonary resuscitation rescue attempts according to the American Heart Association standards. While at CRMC, he also attained specialized training in magnetic resonance imaging and computer tomography.

Now, as MTC’s radiologic technology program director for the past 11 years, Jones instructs 20 to 30 students and monitors curriculum and program assessments. He also maintains all American Registry of Radiologic Technology (ARRT) records for the college and prepares annual reports. Jones holds professional memberships in the American Society of Radiologic Technology and in the ARRT.

MTC’s radiologic technology program is JRCERT-accredited and offers an award of an associate degree upon completion. The program consists of a sequence of courses that prepares students for jobs in general medical and surgical hospitals, medical and diagnostic laboratories, physicians’ offices and imaging centers.

His community activities range from church ministry as the minister of music and as a deacon at Mother Easter Baptist Church and as a pastor at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, both in Moultrie. He is a member of the Consistory of Valdosta and is the first vice president of the Colquitt County Interdenominational Christian Alliance. Jones also serves on the Board of Directors for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Moultrie/Colquitt County and is a baritone soloist throughout the community.

He and his wife DaLaonne have three adult children. Daughter Selena Todd is an accountant with Flowers Industry of Lynchburg, Va. Eldest son Terrence serves as the pastor of Strong Tower at Washington Park in Montgomery, Ala., while son Jonathan works at Sanderson Farms and is a student at ABAC in Moultrie. The couple also has five grandchildren, Aaron, Mataya, Sophia, Anani and London.