Division of Workforce and Career Preparation
For Immediate Release – May 1, 2001
For More Information: Larry Nelson, 773-4773

Nelson earns national recognition for work in vo-tech education

(Pierre)—South Dakota’s assistant state director of vocational-technical education is one of six award winners nationally for distinguished service.

Larry G. Nelson of Pierre received his award May 1 in the nation’s capital.

The National Association of State Directors of Vocational Technical Education (NASDVTEc) presented six awards to individuals across the country who have demonstrated meritorious contributions to vocational-technical education.
"Mr. Nelson represents the ‘best of the best’ of individuals who have excelled in the vocational-technical education profession," said June St. Clare Atkinson, president of the national association. Ray Christensen, secretary of the South Dakota Department of Education and Cultural Affairs, said Nelson is a tremendous resource in the field. "Larry sees technical education from all perspectives and his efforts are always focused on the student," Christensen said. "He has been described as the ‘worker bee’ for vocational-technical education in South Dakota. That is a very apt description."

The national citation presented to Nelson reads in part:

"A South Dakota teacher summarizes Larry G. Nelson’s contributions: ‘When we think of the ‘father’ of modern vocational-technical education in South Dakota, our thoughts turn to Larry.’

Since 1988, Larry has served as assistant state director of vocational-technical education. He has been a leader in over 14 local, state, and national vocational-technical organizations, including the Association for Career and Technical Education, Vocational Agriculture Teachers’ Association, NASDVTEc, and Multi-state Academic and Vocational Curriculum Consortium.

Colleagues across the state and nation hold Larry in high esteem. Many honors demonstrate that regard: Honorary American, State, and Chapter FFA Degree; FFA Distinguished Service Award; South Dakota Outstanding Vocational Agriculture Teacher; Pierre Lion of the Year; South Dakota Friend of Tech Prep; South Dakota Association for Career and Technical Education’s Carl Perkins Humanitarian Award, Outstanding Vocational Educator Award, and Outstanding Service Award."

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