Alumni News & Notes IAA Fall 2015 Scholarship Winners Congratulations to this year’s IAA Scholarship recipients.
In July, Stephen Brew, GOLF ‘14, became the First Assistant at Industry Hills Golf Club at Pacific Palms Resort in Los Angeles, CA, a 36 hole resort course. Christopher (Buddy) Hipp, GOLF ‘11, is a Project Manager with Ashton Manor Environmental in Ashton, MD. Kevin Boyle, GOLF ‘11, is working at Washington Golf and Country Club in Arlington, VA. He got married in April 2014. Jake Valentino, GOLF ‘10, is the Superintendent at Ashwood Golf Course near Los Angeles, CA. Corey Walker, GOLF ‘10, is the Assistant Superintendent at Hampshire Greens Golf Course in Silver Spring, MD.
Shields Memorial Scholarship:
Cecil Massie Scholarship:
Scott Hebert John Critzos Shaun Clark
Joyce Drake
Edward M. Bowman Family Scholarship:
Tesco Scholarship:
Austin Weinreich
Meg Smolinski
Mark Merrick: 2015 IAA Distinguished Alumnus
Celebration of Scholars IAA students Scott Hebert (Golf Course Management) and Joyce Drake (Sustainable Agriculture) were among the select few AGNR students invited to attend the Philanthropy Society Scholarship Reception & 18th Annual Celebration of Scholarships on Friday, April 17, at the College Park Marriott Hotel and Conference Center. “I had a wonderful time and I am honored to represent the Institute,” commented Drake. “Great interactions and I am happy to support the IAA anytime.” Celebration of Scholarships is an annual spring event during which UMD donors meet with students who benefit directly from their generosity.
The IAA’s 2015 Distinguished Alumnus, Mark Merrick, is a well-known and respected figure in Maryland’s turfgrass industry. As Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Genesis Turfgrass, Inc., Merrick leads 14 sales representatives in 6 states generating $21 million in sales annually. Recognized at the IAA graduation luncheon, Merrick recapped his career accomplishments and concluded by saying it was all possible because he is a graduate of the Insitute of Applied Agriculture. He encouraged all the new graduates to take advantage of the IAA’s strong reputation.
Lauren Kovacs, EQUI ‘08, is the Project Assistant for the Equine Protection Division for The Humane Society of the United States. After working in Sports Turf for 10 years, Nick Donner, TURF ‘07, transitioned to golf course management and became the Assistant Superintendent at the Hunt Valley Golf Club in Phoenix, MD. We welcome Brendan Rapp, GOLF ‘05, back to campus as the University of Maryland Golf Course Superintendent. Tucker Langway, GOLF ‘04, is a Property Manager with the Baltimore County Government. Lee Irwin, FARM ‘87, owns Aquatic Resource Restoration Company, which specializes in storm water BMPs, stream restoration, wetland deliniation, and wetland mitigation. John Bruning, FARM ‘82, resides in Trenton, GA. He and his family still farm over 1,000 acres of soybeans and corn. Anthony Parks, HORT ‘80, has worked in horticulture since he received his certificate. He has worked for garden centers, several nurseries, Harford Community College on the grounds and athletic fields, a property management firm and is currently working for the State Highway Department. Watch interviews with IAA Alumni: youtube.com/iaaumd
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND / FEARLESS IDEAS
Summer/Fall 2015
INAG News — 9