IAA Boasts Outstanding Educator and Top Student Leader

Roy Walls and Becky Jones: an outstanding educator and a top student leader.

May 16, 2017

An Institute of Applied Agriculture (IAA) alumnus once described Roy Walls as a “big boy scout,” which aptly fits his trustworthy, prepared, and helpful nature. This year, the Student Council of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (AGNR) described him as “outstanding,” which is equally well-deserved.

On May 10, Walls was named 2017 Outstanding Educator by the AGNR Student Council at its annual banquet. Walls has over 40 years of teaching experience, 27 of them with the IAA. Students praise Walls for his endless patience and willingness to work with students outside of class hours. Many students express true amazement after learning to weld, wire electrical circuits, and work with metal in Walls’ Agricultural Mechanics class.

One of those students is Rebecka “Becky” Jones, a first-year Agricultural Business Management major at the IAA. Jones, who was also recognized during the banquet, proudly shared her welding story with the audience as she presented Walls with his award.

Outstanding in her own right, Jones currently serves as President of the Collegiate Farm Bureau at the University of Maryland. The Collegiate Farm Bureau at UMD is an advocacy group that helps students gain a greater understanding of the Maryland Farm Bureau, as well as the important role students play in ensuring that campus and government officials are aware of key topics and challenges within the agriculture industry. In addition to presiding over the University’s farm bureau chapter, Jones is the incoming President of the AGNR Student Council, making her the first IAA student to hold the position.

Congratulations to Roy Walls and Becky Jones, two outstanding members of the IAA family!