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Outstanding Senior - 2 year program

  • IAA Senior

Winners of the 2008 Outstanding Senior Award (IAA): 

Samantha Schorr

 Samantha Schorr

Exceptional Team Player” is one of many accolades accorded to Samantha Schorr, a December 2007 Landscape Management graduate from the Institute of Applied Agriculture. When a plant falls off the lab table, soil spills on the floor and another student knocks over a drink all in the same class - Samantha would be the first to start cleaning it all up and not miss a beat regarding the purpose of the lab assignment.

Samantha served as a regular greeter for the IAA at Open House programs for prospective students and has been a regular volunteer at Ag Day / Maryland Day, ready to visit with the public at each of these events. She also spent a day visiting with prospective students at her former high school, North Caroline High School in Ridgely, MD, about IAA and college in general.

Samantha started her higher education at Delaware Tech and transferred to the Institute of Applied Agriculture in the Landscape Management program. She worked at Woodside Greenhouse while she was in high school and continued while in college. She began in the retail side of the business and as she continued her education, she quickly became the Greenhouse Manager, working with poinsettias and chrysanthemums. She found herself working with customers designing custom planters and enjoyed it greatly.

Expanding on her enjoyment of the design side of the industry, she got a job with Childs Landscape Contractors where she worked closely with home builders to design their landscapes. She embraced and enjoyed learning the computer software programs for design and relating to clients in the design process.

During the fall of 2007, Samantha was working part-time for both Woodside Greenhouse and Childs Landscape Contractors while going to school full time and running a jewelry business. Her flair with landscape design has translated to the jewelry business along with the business and organizational skills she’s acquired through IAA classes and 

 

Jake Smith

Jake Smith


Jake Smith graduated from Westlake High School in Charles County and resides in Waldorf. Jake spent several years after high school exploring career opportunities and found himself at Potomac Ridge Golf Course working on the greens maintenance staff. He graduated in December 2007 from the Institute of Applied Agriculture in turfgrass management with a 3.35 cumulative average and a long list of accomplishments and activities while a student at IAA.

Jake grew up playing golf with his family and perfected not only his game, but also the love of the game and its traditions. He is an accomplished golfer and let his fellow classmates know that when he enrolled in Fall 2004.

While at the IAA, Jake was on the Director’s Honor Roll for Fall 2006, Spring 2007 and Fall 2007. He interned at Potomac Ridge Golf Club in the summer of 2007 under the direction of John Stern, CGCS. Jake received an exemplary review for his work ethic, knowledge of turfgrass, maturity and desire to follow a career in turfgrass and golf course management.

Jake was the recipient of the Shields Memorial Scholarship and represented the University of Maryland at the 11th annual Collegiate Turf Bowl in Anaheim,California. He also helped Maryland defend the Mid-Atlantic Challenge Cup leading the Maryland team to victory twice over Virginia Tech.

Jake interacts easily with his peers and faculty. He was a role model for other students – eager to answer questions for other students as well as encourage them to join him in extracurricular activities such as Ag Day. He helped staff the IAA Putting Green at Ag Day/ MD Day and participated in the IAA’s annual Turkey Bowl football game.

His maturity and motivation was evident in every aspect of his career at IAA - class work, lecture, lab or lecture exercises. His goal to be a golf course uperintendent was his focus. Upon graduation Jake accepted a position and is the assistant superintendent at Argyle Country Club working with IAA alumnus Mike Barrett ’96.

Award Details

This recognition is given to a graduating student who has: Provided outstanding service to the Institute of Applied Agriculture; Demonstrated dedicated leadership to Institute and/or AGNR student organizations; Exhibited high standards of citizenship and fellowship; Maintained an above average academic record; Conducted themselves in a manner which reflects positively on their fellow students, the Institute of Applied Agriculture, the College of Agriculture and Natural resources and the University of Maryland System. IAA is asked to make a nomination supported by a record of the student's activities and achievements.
  • The AGNR Institute of Applied Agriculture is encouraged to make a nomination for the Outstanding Senior Award (2 year program).
  • Nominations from non-university sources are also encouraged
  • Nominating packets should include:
    • 1-2 page nominating letter
    • 1-2 page narrative of accomplishments
    • Total package not to exceed 3 pages
  • Nominations are due by February 13 of each year
  • 5 copies of the nominating packet should be submitted to Gail Yeiser, 0106 Symons Hall, College Park, MD 20742.

Previous Recipients...

New in 2004! For IAA students previously recognized, see the 4-year program awards:

For more information, contact Gail Yeiser

Last updated: 05/30/2008