Crouse receives award for Excellence in Teaching

Just happy to be nominated, Bruce Crouse, the department chair of career and technical education at Cowley College, was surprised to learn he was named the Kansas Council on Workforce Education (KWCE) 2007 Award Winner for Excellence in Teaching during the KACTE Annual Conference held August 6 in Topeka.

Crouse, who was recognized for his work at the Winfield Center for Technical Excellence, was also one of four finalists for the 2007 Community Leadership Award.

“It is an honor to be recognized by your pears not once but twice,” Crouse said. “I am pleased to receive these awards, but need to thank the college and members of the CTE department that continually support and encourage me to strive for excellence.”

Crouse was recognized for promoting excellence and growth in career and technical education at the postsecondary level.

Crouse, who has taught non-destructive testing at Cowley since 1993, has helped the program become highly successful and sought after by business and industry in several states.

He has helped the program expand to Sumner County, where the Mulvane IT Center was built in 2004, and in 2006 he began working in Winfield on a new career and technical program called Mechatronics. Crouse worked with business and industry, school districts, and community members to make the program a reality.

Crouse was also instrumental in the college receiving a $125,000 Kansas Department of Commerce grant towards equipment purchases for the new Center for Technical Excellence in Winfield.

Sheree Utash, vice president of academic affairs, is proud of Crouse’s accomplishments and glad to see him recognized on a state level.

“Bruce is very deserving of this honor and award for his vision and dedication to ensuring that our college is meeting the needs of business and industry in technical and workforce education,” Utash said. “He continues to raise the bar of excellence for career and technical education while creating avenues to enhance student success and community awareness.” 

Fall 2007