Linn State Technical College has been named one of the nation's 120 top community colleges. The college can now compete for the $1 million fund for the 2013 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence.
The Aspen Institute identified the 120 community colleges using a quantitative formula that assesses performance and improvement in four areas: graduation rates, degrees awarded, student retention rates and quality in student outcomes.
Linn State is now eligible to submit an application containing detailed data that demonstrates the college delivers exceptional student results, uses data to drive decisions and continually improves over time.
The winner will be announced in March 2013.
In another honor, one of the college's instructors received the 2012 Governor's Award for Excellence in Teaching.
Tony DeBoeuf began his teaching career at Linn State in the spring of 1993 and has served as an instructor and department chair of heavy equipment mechanics, heavy equipment operations, heavy equipment technology, automotive technology, automotive collision technology, medium heavy truck technology, and the heavy equipment Caterpillar dealer service technician.
DeBoeuf has developed the curriculum of many programs and holds more than 20 different certifications in engines, hydraulics, electrical, powertrains and advanced train the trainer.