Remembering Paul Vaughn

Written by Guest · June 22, 2008

Paul Vaughn Scholars Endowment

The memorial service was held on Thursday, June 26, at Olivet Christian Church. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Paul Vaughn Scholars Endowment.

You can make your memorial contribution online; designate the Paul Vaughn Scholars Endowment.

If you would prefer to mail your contribution, please include the Paul Vaughn Memorial Gift Form (PDF) and mail it to the address listed.

Paul Vaughn Scholars
c/o CAFNR Office of Advancement
2-4 Agriculture Building
University of Missouri
Columbia, MO 65211

Paul VaughnJune 22, 2008

We lost a dear friend and great colleague today. Paul Vaughn was passionate about education, he was passionate about helping students, and he was passionate about working with faculty and staff to help them in any way. Paul was a major part of the “Dean Team”.

He was key in helping make CAFNR one of the best colleges of ag in the country, and certainly the most outstanding student-caring college on this campus.

Paul created so many things to exceed folks’ expectations when it came to education. Paul was recognized nationally and internationally for his excellence in and commitment to higher education. He and Lanette welcomed students, faculty and staff into their home for so many fun times. They were the essence of the “family” in CAFNR. And, he was loved for his sense of humor, often poking fun at himself.

We will miss this great man, great husband and father, this wonderful friend and colleague. Our hearts are heavy with sorrow and filled with tears, but soon our sorrow and tears will pass and our hearts will glow with the memory of this wonderful man and all he means to each of us.

His legacy of teaching excellence will forever be remembered.

Sincerely,
Tom

Thomas L. Payne
Vice Chancellor and Dean

Biography

Paul R. Vaughn, associate dean for the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, was known for his leadership in academic programs at MU and his contribution in several national educational organizations, from the FFA to the National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges.

Vaughn earned his Ph.D. in Agricultural Education from The Ohio State University in 1976. He earned his B.S. and M.A. degrees from New Mexico State University in Agricultural and Extension Education. His teaching career included professorships at Texas Tech University, Mississippi State University and New Mexico State University. He also served as a high school agriculture teacher in New Mexico.

A recipient of numerous awards, Vaughn was recognized for his commitment for teaching and his administrative performance. In 1998, he was selected by the USDA as one of the top ten teaching faculty in the U.S. He received 13 teaching awards: six college/university, three state, three regional and one national.

Some of the more than 40 organizational awards and honors he received include:

  • Outstanding Alumni Award from The Ohio State University
  • Fellow of the American Association of Agricultural Education
  • Outstanding Agricultural Educator in the Nation
  • Mortar Board/Omicron Delta Kappa Outstanding Faculty Member at Texas Tech University
  • Texas Tech Teaching Academy
  • National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges/USDA Outstanding Teacher Award
  • National FFA VIP Award

He served on a number of state and national boards, task forces and committees doing work to influence the development of secondary agricultural educational programs and agricultural teacher education programs throughout the U.S. Some of his service included:

  • National President of American Association of Agricultural Education
  • National Chairman of Agricultural Education Research Meeting
  • National FFA Board of Trustees
  • Texas Governor’s Advisory Council on Science and Technology

A sought-after speaker, he gave more than 400 presentations to professional societies, school commencements, student organization banquets and student activities.

Vaughn authored or co-authored more than 70 publications, including several texts for high school and university students. He received funding for 24 projects totaling more than $1.35 million.

In 1998, he spent a month in Sana’a, Yemen as a consultant for the Center of International Development where he assisted with the development of B.S. and M.S. degrees at the University of Sana’a for students who want to teach at two-year postsecondary institutions.

He also led a trip for National FFA Officers to study agriculture and education in Japan, Hong Kong and the People’s Republic of China.