Today@Sam Article

Agriculture Prof Receives National Award

Dec. 18, 2015
SHSU Media Contact: Tammy Parrett

Foy Mills Foy Mills Jr., professor and agribusiness program leader in Sam Houston State University’s Department of Agricultural Sciences and Engineering Technology, recently received a national award for “Excellence in College and University Teaching in the Food and Agricultural Sciences,” presented by the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

Mills was presented the award in November at the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities’ annual meeting in Indianapolis.

The award program, launched in 1992, recognizes outstanding college professors of agriculture, natural resources, veterinary and human sciences. A selection committee of nationally recognized teachers and scholars choose two national recipients, two early career awardees, and six regional awards.

Nominees are assessed on their ability as instructors, educational innovation, service to students, professionalism, and scholarship.

Mills is the second SHSU faculty member to bring home the award. Stanley Kelley, chair of the department, received the award in 2012.

“This award means many things to me,” Mills said. “However, it most reflects the investment of others throughout my life. It reflects those teachers who mentored me and saw more in me at times than I saw in myself. My only hope is that I have honored them by ‘paying it forward’ as I influence the next generation.”

Since joining the SHSU faculty in 2012, Mills has led the agribusiness program by strategically positioning the program for the future and developing a strong faculty. He also teaches principles of agricultural economics, ag sales and consulting, agriculture and government programs, and a graduate course in agricultural policy. 

He also has received a distinguished educator award from the Non-Land-Grant Agriculture and Renewable Resources Universities and the North American Teachers of Agriculture, in addition to a slew of other NACTA award wins, including the John Deere Award, the Southern Region Outstanding Teacher Award, and the Teaching Award of Excellence.

“I’m incredibly humbled that I was nominated for the award by my department, which has a long-noted history of being recognized for exceptional teaching at the campus, state, regional, and national levels,” Mills said. 

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