(Marietta, GA) Southern Polytechnic State University Professor Dr. Carol Barnum has received the prestigious Jay R. Gould Award for outstanding teaching in technical communication. The award is presented annually by the Society for Technical Communication (STC), the world’s largest professional society for technical communicators, editors, designers, managers and graphic communicators.

"It's a wonderful honor to be recognized by the Society of Technical Communication for achievement in teaching. For me personally, what makes it special are the letters of support I received from former students. It's a chance for me to appreciate what it means to be a professor," said Barnum.

Barnum will receive her award during the STC annual conference in Orlando May 21-24. To be eligible for the award, a nominee must have been a member of the STC for ten years and must have been involved in post-secondary education for at least fifteen years.

The local chapter of the Society for Technical Communication has honored others from SPSU as well. Dr. Kenneth Rainey, last year's recipient of the national Jay R. Gould Award, has received a distinguished service award. Students Therese D. Thurman and Beverly Arends earned an Excellence Award for graphic work and page layout on their brochure, "Directions '99: Pack Your Bags for the 21^st Century."

Southern Polytechnic's technical and professional communication program began in 1988 and was the first of its kind in the South. The program offers training in various fields, including technical writing and editing, document design and research, graphics and multimedia, usability and market communication.