Contact: Aga Haupt
J. Michael Goatley
A Mississippi State agronomy professor is being honored for exceptional achievement by the National Academic Advising Association.
J. Michael Goatley is among seven university faculty members from around the United States receiving the NACADA's top Outstanding Advising Award. The honor recognizes teaching faculty who also have demonstrated a keen talent for helping students efficiently schedule coursework and meet graduation requirements.
An MSU faculty member since 1988, Goatley works with students in the department of plant and soil sciences' golf and sports turf management option. He and the other winners will be recognized in October at the organization's conference in Salt Lake City, Utah.
NACADA is a professional organization of 6,500 members dedicated to the intellectual, personal and vocational development of students. In cooperation since 1983 with American College Test Inc., it annually recognizes individuals and institutions "making significant contributions in academic advising."
In recent years, MSU faculty members have been included among top award categories. Communication professor John E. Forde received a 2001 award.
Goatley holds a doctorate in crop sciences from Virginia Tech University. His bachelor's and master's degrees were completed at the University of Kentucky.
In addition to co-authoring "Sports Fields: A Manual for Design, Construction and Maintenance" (1988), he has written numerous articles for professional journals.