It was 16 years ago when Harvey S. James, Jr. was first honored by the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources as a New Faculty Teaching Scholar for the 2001-2002 academic year. Nearly two decades later, the honors continue from a variety of sources. He has since been an MU Faculty Fellow (’07-’08) and a Fulbright Fellow (’08) in Prague and the Czech Republic. In 2016, James won the Writing Intensive Teaching Excellence Award from the University of Missouri.
Vice Chancellor and Dean Christopher Daubert congratulates James on his latest award.On Thursday, March 1, James’ ethical issues class was in the midst of a quiz when the group was interrupted for yet another award. James, who serves as an agricultural economics professor and director of graduate studies for the Division of Applied Social Sciences, received the CAFNR Golden Apple Award for going above and beyond in teaching and advising. Vice Chancellor and Dean Christopher Daubert and Associate Dean and Director of Academic Programs Bryan Garton presented James with his latest accolade.
“I am incredibly proud to be able to present Harvey James with his Golden Apple Award,” Garton said. “His dedication to his students and to their quality of education is an exceptional example of the learning experience that we at CAFNR provide.”
James was nominated for the award by Joe Parcell, director of the Division of Applied Social Sciences and fellow Golden Apple Award recipient (February 2017).
In his nomination, Parcell noted, “What makes Dr. James such a dynamic teacher is his passion for the subjects he covers,” he said. “Dr. James has a wonderful way of incorporating ‘cool’ and fun ways to teach the sometimes hard-to-grasp economic principles.”
A student and teaching assistant for James said, “Dr. James walks into the classroom everyday with a wittiness that students can appreciate and a desire to serve students to the best of his abilities.”
Students applauded as Bryan Garton, associate dean and director of academic programs, announced the reason for the surprise visit.Parcell also discussed James’ dedication to enriching the student experience. In addition to classroom presence, James also maintains an open-door policy and seeks to entertain students digitally with his blog posts often found on Facebook.
James teaches four courses each year, including applied macroeconomics, community food systems, ethical issues in agriculture and research methodology. Student reviews for these courses are consistently favorable, frequently above 4.5 out of 5 for overall teaching effectiveness.
James’ research focuses on the fairness of agricultural markets and the impact on involved parties. He also works with the Chinese Academy of Science, to study the role and development of trust in the agrifood system in China.
As the faculty and staff who came to congratulate James left the classroom, James warned his students, “Don’t you think you’re getting out of the quiz because of this!”
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James was startled as CAFNR faculty and staff entered his 9:30 a.m. class to conduct an impromptu awards ceremony.
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Garton explained to the class the pillars for the Golden Apple Award and discussed James' worthiness for receiving the honor.
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Daubert handed off the award to James. This was the first Golden Apple Award ceremony since Daubert's arrival as vice chancellor and dean of the college.
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Daubert handed off the award to James. This was the first Golden Apple Award ceremony since Daubert's arrival as vice chancellor and dean of the college.
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Students of James' ethical issues course applauded their newly-honored professor.
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Joe Parcell, director of the Division of Applied Social Sciences, shook James' hand following the ceremony. Parcell nominated James for this honor.
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Harvey James, professor and director of graduate studies, arrived to the University of Missouri's College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources 16 years ago. The Golden Apple Award recognizes excellence in teaching and advising.