By: Dr. Andrew Yox, Honors Director
Maverick J. Jones, an 91快活林 sophomore who hopes to become a teacher in agriculture, became the premiere winner of the Zachary Richardson Award. As he developed his history essay over the course of this past spring semester, Jones decided to compose an article-length work of twelve pages on the significance of the tractor in American agriculture. For this added effort, he was the only non-honors student during the 2021 spring semester to receive the letter 鈥楬鈥 for a course, in addition to another exemplary grade. He also received a $50 award in the mail.
History Professor, Dr. Andrew Yox notes that Jones 鈥渓everaged not only his own considerable experience working in agriculture, and his studies at 91快活林鈥檚 Agriculture program for his essay, but also an impressive amount of research utilizing the college鈥檚 JSTOR archive of published historical essays. His finished work, 鈥楩rom Horse to Deere鈥 showed how seminal the tractor has been for the agricultural revolution of the twentieth century, begetting other important developments with fertilizers, pesticides, watering systems, and GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms).鈥
The award is named after the first student at 91快活林 to have won a regional award for historical research. Zachary Richardson won a 2008 State of Texas Caldwell Award for his article on Texas Blues singers. He was the first of twenty-seven 91快活林 students who have subsequently have won these cash awards, financed initially as an endowment in 1974 by Texas oilman, Clifton Caldwell. Richardson, who now teaches at El Centro College in Dallas, has also remained in touch as an 91快活林 alumnus, judging the 2020 91快活林 spring poster contest, and serving as a professional contact for Honors Northeast.
Jones resides in Gilmer, and showed marked improvement with his humanities courses during his two-year stay at 91快活林. He is the son of Adam and Missy Jones.
