Matthew Pilon, Mathematics Department Chair at West Georgia Technical College (WGTC), has been named the College’s 2025 Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Instruction (RPA) winner. Pilon will represent WGTC at the regional competition in March, and if selected as a regional finalist, will compete at the state competition in Atlanta in April.

The announcement was made on November 14 at WGTC’s Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership and RPA Banquet, an annual event that celebrates the finalists for both awards.

Pilon was nominated by Beverly Kirk, Dean of Arts and Sciences and Sole’ Thernell, Associate Dean of Arts and Sciences.

"Matt is a dynamic and dedicated instructor whose unwavering commitment to student success sets him apart,” Kirk said. “His ability to inspire and support his students ensures they reach their fullest potential. We are confident that Matt will represent WGTC with excellence and integrity at the next level."

The Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Instruction honors technical education’s most outstanding instructors. The award has been an ongoing statewide event since 1991 and is designed to recognize technical college instructors who make significant contributions to technical education through innovation and leadership in their fields. Formerly known as the Commissioner’s Award of Excellence, the award was renamed in honor and memory of Thomas “Rick” Perkins, an instructor at West Georgia Technical College.

In addition to Pilon, finalists for the Rick Perkins Award were Tanya Byrd-Johnson, Business Technology Program Director and DeeDee Patterson, Cosmetology and Esthetics Program Director.

West Georgia Technical College, with campuses in Carroll, Coweta, Douglas, Haralson, and Troup counties and class sites in Heard and Meriwether counties, offers more than 120 associate degree, diploma, and technical certificate programs of study. A unit of the Technical College System of Georgia, West Georgia Tech is one of the largest of the state’s 22 technical colleges. For more information, please visitwww.westgatech.edu.