From as far back as he can remember, Morrisville State College Professor Walid Shayya has been fascinated with technology, solving mathematical dilemmas and figuring out how different gadgets work. That curiosity eventually found an outlet in agricultural engineering, a career that’s taken him all over the world and has earned him numerous accolades.
Most recently, Shayya, professor of natural resources engineering, received Morrisville State College’s 2016 Distinguished Faculty Award.
The award is presented annually to a faculty member who displays professional growth, personal and professional achievement and has provided outstanding service to the college. He will be recognized during the college’s 105th commencement ceremony at 1 p.m. on May 14 in the recreation center.
Shayya’s interest in agriculture began long before he joined the college’s Department of Agriculture, Sustainability, Business and Entrepreneurship in 2000.
Growing up, Shayya liked to help out in his father’s business, operating various equipment and heavy machinery. His eagerness to learn more about agriculture and technology compelled him to leave Lebanon to attend college and pursue a career in the engineering field.
Shayya, a Manlius resident, has left his mark on the MSC campus. During his tenure, he has taken a lead role in bringing technology to campus and has been instrumental in developing new courses and programs.
“Professor Shayya’s high level of teaching and his expertise in the agricultural engineering and related fields have been a key ingredient in bringing many new and exciting ideas and programs to Morrisville,” said Morrisville State College President David Rogers. “He has also been a driving force behind many grants and research projects which have benefited the college, students and the community.”
Among the technology Shayya has integrated in his classes are Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), which enable students to learn first-hand about site-specific crop management and precision farming. Students also utilize the equipment to manage the college’s agricultural fields and woodlots.
On campus, Shayya has been involved in a host of research projects and has been instrumental in obtaining funding for campus biofuels and bioenergy projects. He also maintains a fully automated weather station on campus, the data from which benefits the campus, farm and renewable energy projects, and analyzes performance on two renewable energy projects; the 10kW wind turbine, and the anaerobic digester, both located at the college’s dairy farm.
Throughout his teaching career Shayya has earned various accolades, including a Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2007. Additionally, he was named College Technology Educator of the Year (2005) by the Technology Alliance of Central New York and received two Teaching Awards of Merit from the National Association of Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture, and a Distinguished Service Award from the College of Agriculture at Sultan Qaboos University.
Regularly published in peer-reviewed journals, he has also written chapters in textbooks and has developed various computer software packages.
In addition to teaching, Shayya continues to be involved with several research projects; geospatial technology, precision agriculture, and animal waste management.
Shayya maintains professional networking commitments through his membership in the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, as a peer reviewer for the Qatar National Research Fund, and as an advisory board member for the Journal of Agricultural and Marine Sciences.
Prior to coming to MSC, Shayya worked at Sultan Qaboos University, in Oman, where he held a multitude of positions including head of the Department of Bioresource and Agricultural Engineering. He also taught in the Agricultural Engineering Department at Michigan State University and was a research/teaching assistant in various departments.
Shayya earned a Ph.D. in Agricultural Engineering from Michigan State University, M.Sc. in Irrigation, American University of Beirut, Diploma of Ingenieur Agricole (Agricultural Engineering), American University of Beirut, and B.Sc. in Agriculture, American University of Beirut.
