Every spring before graduation, the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (AGNR) Alumni Network selects winners for its Outstanding Student Awards. One student is chosen for each academic department in AGNR. For 2020, the network unanimously selected Meghna Mathews as the Outstanding Student in the Institute of Applied Agriculture (IAA).
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Mathews graduated on Friday, May 22 with her Certificate in Applied Agriculture in the Agricultural Business Management concentration. Although UMD’s commencement festivities were virtual this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there was much to celebrate.
Not only did graduates completed all of the IAA program requirements, but they did so under unusually stressful circumstances. “After two years of in person classes, I did not expect to be graduating virtually,” said Mathews. “However, given the circumstances, I love the thought of having my family sitting next to me as I am being recognized for my certificate completion! Pandemic or no pandemic, I am honored to be graduating from the IAA!”
Mathews finished strong in a particularly challenging set of courses this spring, including calculus, microeconomics, and agricultural business management. Her gratitude continued: "The IAA was an enriching hands-on experience within the agribusiness industry. I was able to reinforce my passion for agriculture and its socioeconomic impacts. I will forever cherish the mentorship and support I received from the faculty as they have led me to be where I am today!"
This summer, Mathews will return to Woodmont Country Club, where she completed her IAA internship requirement in 2019. The horticulture crew is eager for her return after she made a lasting impression on them with her work ethic, dependability, and positive attitude. Come fall, she will continue her education at the University of Maryland, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Economics. Ultimately, Mathews aspires to work in finance and natural resources with the federal government or World Bank.
Behind the scenes, Mathews is also an accomplished artist and musician. She even owns a small business, Mendhi by Meghna, providing henna art services at events. This love of creativity, coupled with kindness and a willingness to help others, shows through her involvement in local organizations such as the UMD chapter of Youth Art for Healing, the UMD Community Learning Garden, Habitat for Humanity, and leading arts and other activities for seniors in several assisted living facilities.
IAA faculty and staff agree that it has been an absolute pleasure to have Mathews at the IAA over the past two years, and they are thrilled that she will be on campus for another two years working on her degree. The faculty and staff look forward to seeing her smile as she continues her tradition of stopping by offices to say hello and chat! While we will miss her in our classrooms, we know she will be nearby impressing her new professors.
“We are excited to welcome the Class of 2020 to Alumni status and look forward to continuing the relationship with them as they progress through their professional journeys,” wrote Amanda Clougherty in her announcement of the award winners. To learn more about Mathews and the other winners, watch this short video of the AGNR Alumni Awards announcements.
