This may be the most exciting start to an academic year that we’ve had at the IAA in 25 years. Why?
We welcomed two dozen new students, greeted five new faculty members and employed a new student services coordinator. Thirty new personalities bring an exhilarating energy to Jull Hall that creates a strong learning community and leads to academic success.
That’s not to say learning ceased over the summer. Education in action abounded this summer from Alaska to Virginia as IAA students completed their internships. And, we’re ‘tuting their horns in the IAA’s Internship Photo Contest. Go to the IAA facebook page to vote for your favorite photo. The winner receives $100 scholarship and a free lunch. Voting ends on September 15, so vote now—or finish reading this column; then click and vote.
The first two weeks of classes are filled with many opportunities for our students, faculty and staff to meet each other and learn about campus, including our “green dorm” plant give away on September 5. Thanks to the hard work of Ken Ingram and his students, we have 400 house plants ready to be adopted by dorm dwellers.
The excitement doesn’t end there. The IAA has a reputation to uphold in the world of turfgrass. As you may know, we won two first-place titles in 2014 national competitions. We want a repeat in 2015. The Good Dr. Mathias will begin preparing his teams this fall for the winter turf wars. Go Terps!
Let’s not forget our fastest growing programs—Agricultural Business Management and Sustainable Agriculture—which now account for nearly half of the IAA students. Under the direction of Meredith Epstein, the programs are blossoming. The Terp Farm had a successful first season and the teaching garden added another raised bed and drip irrigation.
Yes, excitement is brewing. Stay linked to our web pages and watch education in action at the IAA. Welcome to a new year.
