Rom Honored by Student Organizations; Focused on Students

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Horticulture professor Curt Rom received the 2013 Outstanding Faculty of the Year Award by the ASG and Resident Interhall Congress.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Curt Rom was invited to an Associated Student Government student recognition banquet late last year expecting merely to be a member of the audience. Rom thought he was invited to serve as support to honors students receiving awards, until his face flashed across the presentation screen.

"Maybe it was the surprise, but I was so shocked, so honored, it was one of the most meaningful moments in my career," said Rom.

The students were recognizing Rom with the Outstanding Faculty of the Year Award.

"I have so much fulfillment and satisfaction from working in this college, to be recognized like that is awesome," said Rom. "The greater fortune I have is to work for the University of Arkansas."

The Associated Student Government and Resident Interhall Congress presented Rom with an award for his positive impact as a faculty member, adviser, club leader and citizen to the campus.

In the Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences, Rom extends beyond the classroom. He plays an active role in a registered student organization, is active on faculty committees, in the honors program and research projects.

Rom assists the active student organization GroGreen and works among a team studying in the research fields along Garland Avenue.

"I currently work with a very active research program," said Rom, a program he finds applicable for encouraging the classroom atmosphere. "I strive to serve as a role model for students - to show how they can learn, because I am learning, too."

Mia McBride-Schick is a horticulture student, a participant in the research project and advisee of Rom's.

"He got me excited about plant propagation," she said. "I started off working with one plant. I now have 85."

Within the UA System Division of Agriculture Research Station, studies are geared toward the productivity of organic apples, organic pears and "high-tunnel" blackberries and raspberries. A project made possible by the National Strawberry Initiative, which supports production research on specialty fruit crops.

"We harvested blackberries and raspberries earlier in the fall," said Rom.

Due to the "high-tunnel" operation, the research team hopes to continue harvesting fresh berries beyond the typical climate barrier of cold weather, "possibly through Christmas," said Rom. "This is pretty exciting."

The project involves a team of three graduate students, three undergraduates, three technicians, an agricultural economist, an agricultural entomologist, agricultural extension specialists and a soil scientist, according to Rom.

In addition to coordinating the research project, Rom also serves as chairman for the campus faculty athletic committee, is director of the Bumpers College honors program and a professor.

As director of the honors program, his duties are "to maintain the integrity and quality of the program, ensure participating students achieve at a proper level, encourage more students to participate and engage faculty as honors instructors," he said.

Rom is passionate about the honors program.

"It is my belief, and there is some evidence, that students who participate in honors have greater competitive advantages in the job market," he said.

Rom said the honors program experience will help students continue their education beyond a bachelor's degree into "graduate school and professional schools such as veterinary practice, medical, dental and law."

Rom encourages honors program instructors to participate as mentors and advisers for students performing a capstone project and honor's thesis, and provides assistance to each department's faculty voice for honors.

Through the Honors Student Board, students are able to conduct lecture series, work in leadership development and networking, actively recruit new members, coordinate the honors thesis capstone competition and promote faculty recognition of honors students.

"I help them actualize and execute these leadership projects," said Rom. "A lot of it is communications."

Rom considers modern times an era of communications and works to assist students in attaining a versatile skillset in this area.

"In my classes, we create static display boards, write newsletters, and create web sites and blogs," he said. "I also ask students to create a three-to-five minute informational YouTube video as a homework assignment."

Holding a high regard for service is also an attribute Rom displays, especially for horticultural students.

"I encourage students to be ready to answer the second part of the 'what do you do' conversation," he said. "'Oh you're a horticulturalist? Well, can you tell me what this is in my yard?' As a student, I remember the satisfaction I received from learning and achieving."

Rom believes serving as an enthusiastic and engaging role model for students is an important aspect of inspiration and encouragement for students.

"I focus more on learning," said Rom. "If I can help students learn that they are their best teacher, open that door to self-understanding, it creates a really wonderful opportunity."

"In everything he does, he thinks about his students," said McBride-Schick. "He is a reliable source of inspiration and reassurance."