FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                Contact: Megan Fitzgerald
September 16, 2003                                       (703) 683-9312; mfitzgerald@acteonline.org


ALEXANDRIA, VA ? The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) announces that Dr. Ann Marie Benson of Stillwater, Okalahoma has been selected to receive the Arch of Fame Award. The award will be presented at the ACTE Annual Convention and Career Tech Expo, December 11-14, in Orlando, Florida.

The award recognizes the contributions and distinguished accomplishments of those persons who have been identified with the work and purposes of ACTE. It provides recognition for the commitment and dedication that individuals may have demonstrated to the organization.

Prior to retirement, Dr. Benson served the career and technical education (CTE) community for 34 years. She began by serving as a Home Economics instructor and then went on to become the first female Assistant State Director at the Oklahoma Department of Vocational and Technical Education (ODVTE) as well as the first female Executive Director for the Mid-America Vocational Curriculum Consortium (MAVCC).

Oklahoma?s instructional system in the schools and institutions with the responsibility of teaching and training students in career and technical education have seen the benefits of Dr. Benson?s efforts. Through her leadership as a curriculum writer, Executive Director of MAVCC, Assistant State Director for occupational programs, and as State Director of CTE, she has ensured that all students enrolled in CTE programs have been taught by qualified instructors who use state-of-the-art instructional materials.

?Through the precedents established from Dr. Benson?s leadership, career tech continues to respond to the needs of business and industry and individuals on achieving productive lives and organizations,? comments a business industry representative.

Although retired, Dr. Benson remains active in the Career Tech community. She has been an active member of ACTE for 31 years. Along with many awards and achievements, she was recently elected into the Oklahoma of Educators? Hall of Fame.

The Association for Career and Technical Education is the national professional association for the field of career and technical education. Now in its 77th year, ACTE?s membership numbers more than 30,000 teachers, counselors and administrators at the middle school, high school and postsecondary levels.

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September 16, 2003                                      NR#03-026