Prairie View A&M University News January 2018 National FFA Organization Honors PVAMU's CEP-AgNR Program Leader Billy Lawton, Program Leader for the College of Agriculture and Human Sciences (CAHS) Cooperative Extension Program (CEP)-Agriculture and Natural Resources (AgNR) unit, has been awarded the VIP Citation by the National FFA Organization, recognizing his significant contributions to FFA and agricultural education. He was recognized during an onstage ceremony in Indianapolis on Friday, Oct. 27 during the 90th National FFA Convention & Expo. Lawton has played a key role in the National FFA Agricultural Issues Leadership Development Event since it began in 1996. A representative for one of the original sponsors, he has provided a vision for the event. During his 21-year tenure, he has ensured the event stays true to its intentions and that participants are sharing information from a pro and con perspective regarding critical agricultural issues facing local, state, and national communities. He has influenced more than 5,900 members on the national level and numerous members on the local and state levels. "The VIP Citation recognizes the dedicated individuals who contribute to the FFA mission of student success through their hard work and cooperation," National FFA Chief Executive Officer Mark Poeschl said. "Without such strong and outstanding commitment, FFA would not be able to help build strong character in its members, who in turn build strong families, communities, and businesses." Each year the National FFA Organization recognizes outstanding individuals who have provided exceptional support of school-based agricultural education and FFA and, in recognition of outstanding contributions to school-based agricultural education and the National FFA Organization, they are awarded the VIP Citation during the general session of the Convention and Expo, and a reception is held in their honor following the session. Said Steve A. Brown, National Advisor and Board Chair, National FFA Organization, "The National FFA Organization continues to grow and make a difference in the lives of more than 649,355 members. By going the extra mile, outstanding, dedicated people like [Billy Lawton] deserve most of the credit for changing the lives of these young people. It is an honor to publicly recognize [his] outstanding support of our youth and agricultural education. The National FFA Organization provides leadership, personal growth and career success training through agricultural education to 649,355 student members who belong to one of 7,859 local FFA chapters throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The organization is also supported by 225,891 alumni members in 1,934 alumni chapters throughout the U.S. SANDRA M. PHOENIX HBCU Library Alliance Executive Director Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library 111 James P. Brawley Drive SW Atlanta, GA 30314 404-978-2118 (office) 404-702-5854 (cell) http://www.hbculibraries.org/ sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org%3cmailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org>> Honor the ancestors, honor the children. Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hbculibraryalliance1/ and Twitter https://twitter.com/HBCULibAlliance Check out "PULSE!" The HBCU Library Alliance's News Source! - https://hbculibraryalliance.wordpress.com/