During the 2007 Annual NACTA Conference, June 2007 at the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, Wayne Banwart became the new President of NACTA. Wayne is the Associate Dean for ACES Academic Programs at the University of Illinois. The following is a shortened version of comments made during his President’s Address at the annual Awards Banquet.

I am grateful for the opportunity to serve NACTA this coming year as President. I have a great deal of respect for NACTA because:

1.      It is the only professional organization I am involved in that is totally dedicated to teaching

2.      It has talented and dedicated persons that make the engine go like Rick and Marilyn Parker,   President Zimmerman and many outstanding past officers and members

3.      It provides opportunities for recognition of teaching excellence on a national level

4.      It publishes a professional journal we should be proud of

5.      It provides opportunities to visit institutions of higher learning across the U.S. and Canada.

6.      It also provides opportunity to make acquaintances and lifetime friendships at our annual NACTA conference.

I see a strong future for NACTA because of the reasons I just shared and because I believe that food, fiber, and natural resources will become ever more important as the future unfolds. This country and this global population will need bright intelligent and productive minds in the future and we can help develop them. I believe people choose a career in teaching for primarily one reason: They believe they can make a difference in people’s lives. 

I commend you for making a difference in people’s lives and our future. I challenge you to showcase that difference, to expand that difference, and to share that difference through your involvement in NACTA. Thomas Edison once said, “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work”. It does indeed. I say, “Put on the overalls and get to work”. I look forward to seeing what all of us through NACTA can accomplish together.  

Thank You,
Wayne Banwart