Professor James Thompson was recognized as the 2018 Educator of the Year (post-secondary) by the American Legion’s Department of West Virginia during its Mid-Winter Conference at Lakeview Resort in Morgantown Feb. 8. Department Commander Bill Combs presented the award to Thompson. American Legion Mountaineer Post 174 in Morgantown nominated Thompson for this award, and he was chosen as the award recipient by a selection committee at the state convention this past July. Committee Chairman Jim Davis stated that West Virginia is the only department that selects both a K-12 and a post-secondary teacher for recognition.
The Educator of the Year Award recognizes an individual whose accomplishments are over and above his or her usual vocation. Consideration is given to someone whose activities in the field of education far exceed what one would expect in that field.
Thompson is a professor of soil science in the Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design. He teaches courses in soil judging, principles of soil science, soil survey and land use, soil genesis and classification, pedology, and applied wetlands and ecology. He was a 2017 recipient of the WVU Foundation Award for Outstanding Teaching, and as coach of the WVU Soils Team, he guided the team to a national championship at the 2016 National Collegiate Soils Contest.
The American Legion is the largest wartime veterans service organization with nearly 2 million members in 12,875 posts in communities across America. Chartered by Congress in 1919, The American Legion is committed to mentoring youth and sponsoring wholesome programs in our communities, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting strong national security, and continued devotion to our fellow servicemembers and veterans.
For more information contact Matthew Sampson, sampsonmr@yahoo.com, 30.241.4135.
For more information visit the West Virginia Department of The American Legion website.