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Students and supporters alike enjoyed the first non-covid Barley Party in nearly three years on campus in early April.  While those in attendance were prepared to receive their rings, one individual was not.

An annual tradition of Barley Ring celebrations is to honour a deserving individual who wouldn’t ordinarily be eligible to receive a ring.

These honorary rings are awarded to individuals who do not meet the criteria to be eligible for a Faculty ring but who are extremely deserving of the honour. These individuals are ambassadors and supporters of the institution and have made outstanding contributions to the Faculty of Agriculture community.

This year’s recipient encapsulates and perfectly demonstrates what it means to be an Aggie.Joy Galloway Jones is the 2022 recipient on an honorary Barley Ring.

Joy is dedicated to not only student academic success but to enhancing the overall student experience. She is an advocate for students in the classroom, in athletic pursuits and in their careers. She is enthusiastic about agriculture and especially the AC community.

“Joy is an advocate for students both in the classroom, in extracurriculars, and supporting students through summer employment positions in agriculture,” said Dalhousie Agriculture Students Association President Codie O’Neil.  “She is a true Aggie through and through and we cannot think of a more deserving person."

Joy has proven time and again she is dedicated to student success at the Faculty of Agriculture, holding several different student-focused positions since 2013.

Joy is currently the Manager of Work Integrated Learning programs on campus, a position she initiated in 2017 and one in which she truly shines.  As the manager of the Aggie WIL program, Joy has worked to help students network and create meaningful connections in the agricultural industry, many of which have led to students jumpstarting their careers.

“Joy has taught students how to conduct themselves professionally and appropriately while working in the agriculture and agri-food industry,” added Codie.  “Her students have learned many valuable life and career skills through their involvement with the Aggie WIL program.”

On top of her day job, Joy is also the Dal AC Advisor for the World University Services of Canada or WUSC providing support and financial assistance to student refugees. However, Joy is probably best known for being the very dedicated coach of Dal AC’s very successful cross-country running team.

Every year since 2009, Joy has given up several evenings and mornings a week during the two-month cross country season to work with the team. On top of this, she continues to coach the athletes year-round, staying present via social media. Team members report she is extremely encouraging and pushes athletes out of their comfort zones.

Most importantly, Joy makes running fun and cares deeply about her athletes. She and her wife Keltie ensure the team is well-fed every race day and makes sure the athletes never forget that ‘running makes you smarter.’

Joy’s hard work has paid off over the past 13 years. The cross-country team is one of the most decorated varsity teams in Dal AC’s history in the Atlantic Colleges Athletic Association with many individual podia finishes and several league titles.  She has also been named ACAA Coach of the Year more than once during her tenure with the team - an award voted on by all coaches in the league.

Outside of Dalhousie University Joy is very involved in the Truro/Bible Hill community as a regular volunteer with many organizations. Among her many achievements, she is the first female officer of the Truro Fire Service and was recently presented with the Community Perseverance ACE Award by the Fundy Female Leadership Network. Joy has been a captain with Truro Fire Service for three years and a lieutenant before that.

Joy Galloway Jones always encourages students to share their successes and achievements and is extremely proud of her students and student-athletes. She spends much of her free time giving back to the community and to the AC, and is an all-around encouraging, supportive, and caring person with a passion for agriculture and student success.

Congratulations Joy!