Hogan the Hero

April 23, 2015

From adversity comes achievement. That’s how I would describe Brian Hogan’s journey at the Institute of Applied Agriculture. Hogan, a Golf Course Management major, was honored as the Outstanding IAA Student on April 16 at the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Alumni Chapter Awards Celebration.

I first met Hogan in August of 2012 on the first floor of Jull Hall. I mention the first floor because the medical contraption he wore on his leg made it all but impossible for him to negotiate the stairs to our second floor offices. Hogan, who was recovering from a serious car-crushing accident, planned to use his medical leave time to get gain an education.

“Really, if it hadn’t been for the accident, Brian would have never come to the IAA,” says his wife Patty. “Now that he’s graduated, he wants to stay. I can’t get him to leave.”

Hogan smiles and nods in agreement, “I do want to stay. It would be fun to teach at the IAA. It’s such a great place.”

Hogan’s advisor Dr. Kevin Mathias is thinking of ways to keep Hogan involved, possibly coaching the Turf Bowl and Sports Turf teams. As a member of three gold-medal teams--the 2014 Collegiate Turf Bowl, and the 2014 and 2015 STMA Student Challenge teams—Hogan would have great insights.

While he did achieve much success as an IAA student, Hogan faced daunting obstacles. The lingering pain and fatigue from the accident forced him to withdraw from class his first semester and he could only take one class his second semester. He persevered and eventually Hogan began attending classes full time and putting in so many hours that the IAA faculty and staff jokingly dubbed the conference room “Brian’s Office.”

During the summer of 2013 Hogan interned at Hampshire Greens Golf Course under IAA alum, Teddy Blauvelt. And, upon graduation in December, he accepted a position at Laytonsville Golf Course in Gaithersburg, MD.

In addition, Hogan was recognized for his academic success by being selected as a 2013 GCSAA National Student Scholar and recipient of a 2013 and 2014 MAAGCS Scholarship. He graduated with a 3.35 GPA.

“Brian is such an inspiration in the challenges he has had to deal with such as surviving a serious car accident and then going through the physical rehabilitation that was required of him,” says Mathias. “He made a decision to go back to school to pursue his passion, and he was extremely focused. He was an excellent student who always contributed by asking questions and interacting very well with other students.”
We’re proud to call Hogan our hero and outstanding student for 2015.