UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Daniel Foster, associate professor of agricultural and extension education in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, is the 2022 North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA) Murray Brown Award recipient.
This award recognizes a member with a distinguished and sustained record of NACTA leadership. Foster was honored at the society’s 68th annual meeting in June.
Foster was introduced to NACTA as a graduate student by his adviser, Susie Whittington, a one-time Penn State faculty member and current faculty member at Ohio State University.
“My involvement with NACTA has very much influenced me,” Foster said. “I want to help graduate students — who are future colleagues and peers — discover the community of practice around the scholarship of teaching and learning in agriculture as soon as possible.”
Over the years, Foster has assisted in advancing the University’s involvement in NACTA in multiple ways. He also served as the Eastern Region Director for NACTA National Executive Board.
“I hope I help contribute a sense of excitement around teaching and learning,” said Foster about his contributions to the organization. “Additionally, I’ve been able to contribute my pragmatic skills as a professional parliamentarian to assist in helping the governing documents and organization’s approach to conducting business that is inclusive and reflective of a member-driven organization.”
Foster said he had no idea he had been nominated for the award.
“It was truly a sincere and special surprise,” he said. “I am very honored. It is awe-inspiring to see the list of previous recipients and think about their dedication to the NACTA and promoting the collegial, systematic advancement of scholarship of teaching and learning in agriculture. It inspires me to continue to strive to help advance this community of practice.”
He said it is important for everyone to recognize that teaching is a “grand challenge” that can create a profound impact.
“It can be accomplished more easily when we have intentional, meaningful opportunities to share the joys and challenges of impactful teaching in agriculture with peers,” Foster said. “We must remember that teachers matter. Each of us every day, regardless of our appointment or position, is teaching someone in some way. The question is: what lesson are you leaving?”
Foster earned doctoral and master's degrees in agricultural and extension education from Ohio State University and a bachelor's degree in agricultural education and agricultural technology management from the University of Arizona. He has been a faculty member and agricultural teacher educator at Penn State since 2009.
NACTA is a professional society focused on the scholarship of teaching and learning agriculture and related disciplines at the postsecondary level. Its mission is to provide a forum for discussion of questions and issues relating to professional advancement, to seek improvement in postsecondary teaching of agriculture, and to promote instructional excellence in agriculture and the research supporting this instruction.
To learn more about Penn State’s involvement in NACTA, contact Foster at foster@psu.edu.