Bill Vocasek, who chairs and teaches in Southeast Community College’s Auto Collision Repair Technology program, was awarded the Lon Baudoux Instructor of the Year Award during the recent Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair in Anaheim, Calif.

The award is presented to an I-CAR instructor who most exemplifies the I-CAR presence in the classroom, a commitment to excellence and keeping pace with technology. Vocasek was chosen from the Northwest Region of I-CAR, comprised of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

“It was a total surprise, and I was very happy that my wife (Deb) had gone along to be with me,” Vocasek said. “She also was very surprised and did not know that I was receiving the award.”

Award recipients were selected by staff at I-CAR.

“With the professionalism of instructors in the Northwest Region and around the country, it is very humbling to receive such an honor,” Vocasek said. “Lon Baudoux, for whom the award is named, also was a close friend of mine. He suddenly and unexpectedly passed away three years ago, so it has a special meaning to me. It makes what we do on a day-to-day basis seem a whole lot more important, and anyone in the educational field knows that it is one of the most frustrating and at the same time gratifying jobs.”

Vocasek said he’s received numerous contacts from friends, colleagues and former students since receiving the award.

“I was touched by the outpouring of congratulatory responses from friends and especially former students in the field,” he said. “I often think of how lucky I was to be hired by SCC in 1990, and the support of family, former students and the staff that I have the pleasure of learning from and working with.”

More than 100 I-CAR instructors, volunteers and industry members gathered in Anaheim for I-CAR’s Western Regional Conference. During the conference, outstanding instructors and volunteers were recognized for their dedication and commitment to I-CAR and for delivering collision repair training to their local areas. Attendees also participated in networking events, presentations and open forum discussions throughout the conference.

Vocasek, who also chairs SCC’s Deere Construction & Forestry Equipment Tech and John Deere Tech programs, earned two Associate of Applied Science degrees from SCC’s Milford Campus in 1977 and 1979. The Wilber-Clatonia High School graduate began working at SCC in 1990.

Michael Lonabaugh won the award from the Southwest Region.

“Each year there are many nominations for this award, and the decision is always difficult,” said Bob Mickey, I-CAR Northwest regional manager. “It is an honor to recognize this year’s instructor of the year recipients. Both gentlemen have made an impact on many of us in the industry.”