After just seeing Jim Evans last week at the 2011 IFAJ Congress it was nice to see this large gift to the James F. Evans Endowed Chair in Agricultural Communications at the University of Illinois.
Five Illinois agriculture groups jointly announced today a more than $28,000 award to a University of Illinois joint initiative between the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) and the College of Media designed to address the growing need for effective communications in the fast-changing world of agriculture, food, feed, fiber, bio-energy and rural development.
The awards from Illinois Beef Association (IBA), Illinois Corn Marketing Board (ICMB), the Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB), Illinois Pork Producers Association (IPPA) and Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) and will be applied towards the university’s $2 million goal for the James F. Evans Endowed Chair in Agricultural Communications.
The university plans to enhance its joint agricultural communications program with a first-of-its-kind endowed chair in agricultural communications to support teaching and research in the field. The university plans to have at least three teaching positions and include initiatives in consumer and environmental communications.
“We are grateful for the Illinois agriculture associations’ willingness to support this important initiative that will benefit the university’s students in agricultural communications for years to come,” said Robert Hauser, dean of the College of ACES.
About the James F. Evans Endowed Chair
The University of Illinois Agricultural Communications Program is a dual program between the College of Media and College of ACES. In recognition of Jim Evans’ many years of exemplary service and as a driving force behind the development of the Agricultural Communications Program, the endowed chair is being established in his name. To achieve this goal, $2 million in funds are needed. To make a gift to the fund, visit http://agcomm.aces.illinois.edu/donate.