Winner of the 2007 Excellence in Instruction Award: J. Kevin Mathias

J Kevin Mathias

Dr. Mathias has responded to a booming economy and expanding golf course industry by making the Institute of Applied Agriculture golf course management program a great asset to the Maryland golf course industry. Over one third of the golf course superintendents in Maryland have been students of Dr. Mathias. He currently advises over 50 students each year and while carrying a full teaching load he has also presented over 125 talks to professional associations, extension conferences, and master gardeners programs at the local, regional, and national level. He has written over 25 articles for trade journals and newsletters concerning turfgrass management practices.

Dr. Mathias has always been ahead of the curve in using new technology to expand his teaching program beyond the typical classroom. He was one of the first instructors to use Centra Symposium, in combination with WebCT, to offer classes to nonresident. Several of Dr. Mathias’s classes have been approved by the Maryland Department of Agriculture to provide experience credit needed for Pest Control Applicator Certification as much-needed continuing education for professionals in green industries.

Dr. Mathias has also been a successful fundraiser to support his program and the required visits to summer internship locations. Dr.

Mathias helped establish and continues to organize the Shields Memorial Golf Tournament to support scholarships and the extensive teaching program in turfgrass management. Equipment such as a GPS guidance system used to control spraying equipment is one example of how the proceeds are used in the instructional program.

Dr. Mathias also provides opportunities for students to participate and network at the national level. Since 2000 Dr. Mathias has trained two teams each year to participate in the Collegiate Turf Bowl, held annually with the national Golf Industry Trade Show at various locations around the country. The University of Maryland teams have placed in the top 10 out of 80 teams each year.

For more information, contact Gail Yeiser

Last updated: 03/9/2009