During the pandemic, doctors were being called to action. The IAA was no different, except the doctor we called back to action was none other than our very own Dr. J. Kevin Mathias. The Good Doctor Mathias retired in 2017 after 38 years of teaching, but when the IAA needed him this fall, he answered the call and sprung back into action.
When another long-time instructor, Roy Walls, retired, an opportunity opened for a GPS/Surveying instructor. Mathias had taught the class decades ago, but the course and the technology had changed significantly, requiring Mathias to brush up on his mapping skills, which he did quite readily under Walls’ tutelage.
“I enjoyed being back working with students and Roy was a big help,” says Mathias. He adds that “It was somewhat surreal to be back on campus and have so few students around due to the pandemic.”
Mathias brought more than his teaching skills; he brought inspiration. He put his talents and experience to use reaching out to raise scholarship funds for future IAA students. We would like to thank the Mid Atlantic Golf Course Superintendents Association who responded first to Mathias’ request with a $5,000 gift to the Dr. J. Kevin Mathias Endowed Scholarship Fund. Mathias says he hopes more IAA alumni and industries will do the same.
In a time of need, the Good Doctor rose to the occasion, giving back in retirement—as a teacher, mentor and luminary. To help support student scholarships please make a donation today to the Dr. J. Kevin Mathias Scholarship Fund. Our donation process is simple and quick. In just a few minutes, your donation will be on its way to support IAA student scholarships through the Dr. J. Kevin Mathias Scholarship Fund. To make a donation by credit card, please visit go.umd.edu/dr-mathias-fund OR by check make payable to University of Maryland College Park Foundation Inc., in the memo line please write the “Dr. J. Kevin Mathias Scholarship Fund (Account 21-31411), please mail to Office of Gift Acceptance, 4603 Calvert Road, College Park 20740-3421
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