Alva Review-Courier -

Northwest Technology Center was recognized earlier this month as a winner of the Gold Star Award, the highest honor given by the Oklahoma Association of Technology Centers (OATC). This is the 11th time that Northwest Technology Center has received the award.

The Gold Star Award recognizes technology centers that have met rigid and demanding criteria, demonstrating a high level of excellence. The awards presentation was a part of the annual Oklahoma Association of Career and Technology Educators (OkACTE) Summer Conference held in Oklahoma City that attracts more than 3,600 educators from across Oklahoma.

"It is an honor for our school to receive the Gold Star Award," said Dr. Gerald Harris, NWTC's superintendent. "The award is quite an achievement for our staff, board members and for the communities served by Northwest Technology Center. Our staff has worked diligently, but we could not have received this award without the support of the local patrons who attend our classes, support our activities and who utilize our services."

"Northwest Technology Center is a leader in economic development and education in its district, which includes the school districts of Alva, Aline-Cleo, Canton, Cherokee, Fairview, Freedom, Ringwood and Waynoka," said Skye McNeil, OkACTE executive director. "During the past year, Northwest Technology Center has worked with over 100 business and industry partners in the areas of training and business development. Northwest is proud of its business partnerships and its partnerships with other technology centers."

To qualify for the award, Northwest Technology Center met over 50 criteria set up by the OATC Awards committee. The criteria included: student retention, program completion, placement, percentage of the population served, number of secondary and post-secondary students enrolled in its daytime programs, innovative partnerships with business and industry and additional criteria in the areas of agricultural business management, economic development, marketing, adult training and development and many other areas.

Northwest Technology Center has many outstanding career programs, including automotive technology, biomedical sciences, business and information technology, collision repair technology, construction technology (electrical and plumbing), culinary, digital design, health careers certification, practical nursing and welding technology. During the 2015-16 school year, NWTC had approximately 15,000 total enrollments including business and industry courses, adult career development courses and daytime career programs.

For more information on Northwest Technology Center, please call 580-327-0344 in Alva or 580-227-3708 in Fairview or access the school's website at http://www.nwtech.edu.