NMSU Agricultural and Extension Education Associate Professor Teaching Award recipient

Date: Jan. 6, 1997
Editor: D'Lyn Ford  (505) 646-6528, dlford@nmsu.edu

SAN DIEGO -- Thomas Dormody, associate professor and agricultural and Extension education department head at New Mexico State University, received the "Excellence in College and University Teaching in the Food and Agricultural Sciences Award."

The regional award, one of only ten given each year, was presented at the annual Nov. meeting of the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges (NASULGC). The award is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and NASULGC. Nominees were evaluated on their teaching ability, innovative teaching methods, scholarship, and service to students and their profession.

Dormody is the second NMSU professor to receive the award. "I'm excited personally, of course, but also for the department and college," Dormody said. "I think it's good recognition."

In his classes on agricultural education and leadership, Dormody tries to personify the clarity, enthusiasm, and variability that help students achieve. His graduate courses include research methods and diffusion of agricultural innovations. Dormody's combination of student-centeredness, spontaneity and occasional wackiness make his classes stimulating and friendly. A firm believer that some of the best teaching occurs between classes, Dormody advises students and participates in student organization activities.

Dormody's research and scholarly interests include youth leadership development and integrating science into secondary agricultural education. During the summer he participates in many professional service activities for improving teaching, including coordinating in-service programs for secondary teachers.

Dormody received the Burlington Resources Foundation Faculty Achievement Award for outstanding university teaching and the National Association of Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture Teaching Award of Merit, both in 1993. In addition, he has received three regional research awards and the American Association for Agricultural Education Author of the Year Award.

Dormody, a graduate of Carmel (Calif.) High School, received his bachelor's degree in horticultural science from Oregon State University. He earned a master's degree in vegetable crops from the University of California-Davis, and a doctorate in agricultural and occupational education from Cornell University.