A West Virginia University professor has been selected by the national Future Farmers of America (FFA) organization to receive a special VIP Citation for making significant contributions to agricultural education.

Layle Lawrence will be honored during a presentation at the 75th National FFA Convention, Oct. 30-Nov. 2, in Louisville, Ky.

Dr. Lawrence is a professor of agricultural and environmental education at WVU s Davis College of Agriculture, Forestry and Consumer Sciences. A member of the DavisColleges Division of Resource Management since the early 1970s, he has guided countless future agriculture teachers as an academic advisor.

A dedicated educator, Lawrence continues to stress innovative teaching techniques, strong agricultural mechanics skills and challenging supervised agricultural experience programs. Over the years, Lawrence has been recognized for outstanding leadership in agricultural and extension education.

FFA is a national youth organization of more than 450,000 student members preparing for leadership and careers in science, business and technology of agriculture with over 7,300 chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the VirginiaIslands. FFA strives to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career successes through agricultural education.