Image Credit: Diana Velasquez-munoz
Meet Roy S. Walls, our Agricultural Mechanics, Computer Applications, Surveying and GPS Applications in Agriculture Instructor, and our Coordinator of Computer Services. When he is not in his office, Roy can be found in the Animal and Avian Sciences lab working with Ag Mechanics students, or in the field with the Surveying class. Walls’ sunny disposition is most evident when he is assisting students in technology related issues. In the last weeks of the semester, his voice is heard in the computer room, instructing students to “Now create a query” as they complete their Microsoft Access homework.
There is more than meets the eye when it comes to how Roy's career journey in agriculture led to the IAA. But what got him into agriculture?
It all started with a pig…
When he was in eighth grade, Roy’s family bartered with a neighbor who traded them a piglet for veggies. He explained, “Somehow we wound up with this little pig that became Roy’s project.” While attending North Harford High School in Pylesville, Md., Roy took an ag-related class and used his pig as an ag class project. He realized during this time that he enjoyed agriculture very much. With support and encouragement from his agriculture teacher, he decided to pursue agricultural education as a career path.
Tell us about your journey to UMD. How did you hear about the IAA and decide to make this your teaching place?
In 1990, Dr. Cecil Massie retired from the IAA and encouraged me to apply to become an instructor. I attended Maryland for both my undergraduate and graduate studies, pursued the opportunity to be an IAA agriculture instructor, and have been here ever since. Surprisingly, my ag teacher from my youth became my advisor during my master’s studies here at UMD.
What is your favorite class to teach and why?
My favorite class to teach is the Surveying and GPS course. It’s more technical and I enjoy it a bit more. I also enjoy the Ag Mechanics class, but my favorite is still Surveying and GPS. I’ve had to learn most of the material on my own, so it was a personal challenge as well. Teaching it to students has been a very fun and educational experience.
^^Students explore campus during Roy's Surveying and GPS course.
Can you share one of the most memorable moments in your Ag Mechanics class?
My most memorable Ag Mechanics class was during one of our hot metal work lab sessions in Ag Mechanics. A student’s shirt caught on fire. We addressed the fire and she returned to welding as if nothing happened while remaining calm. Usually, students have an alarmed reaction!
