This year, Austin (AJ) Maxwell, a Survey Technician at L.I. Smith & Associates (LIS), received the Tennessee Association of Professional Surveyors (TAPS) Student of the Year Award. Maxwell received this award on March 4, 2022.
“AJ has been with us for several years. When he started out, he knew little about surveying. He has greatly progressed since then, and I am excited to see him advance further now that he’s with us on a full-time basis,” commented LIS Survey Manager and fellow TAPS member Tommy Young.
The award is presented to a student who has exceptional leadership roles and involvement in their land surveying programs at their university, local chapter and state organization. To qualify for nomination, a student must be a current member of TAPS and hold the following positive traits and attributes: attitude, cooperation and dedication, projecting a professional image, self-improvement, and enthusiasm.
The award is voted on by the Board of Directors in the fall meeting. Once the votes are in, the Executive Secretary will count them. Lori Medley, an independent contractor affiliated with TAPS, states, “It shall be the duty of the Executive Secretary to keep in silence the winner.” The award is presented at the TAPS annual luncheon, reception or banquet. Only two Student of the Year Awards have been given, each recognizing the student’s dedication to becoming a licensed surveyor and their participation in organizations in Tennessee.
While Maxwell was earning his degree at the University of Tennessee at Martin (UTM), he was also a full-time worker for LIS. His nomination form, submitted anonymously by a UTM faculty member, stated, “He still manages to excel in both.”
“I would like to thank my leadership at L.I. Smith for developing me over the past six years. Their guidance and patience have ensured my success at school and have given me a wonderful career to look forward to after graduation,” says Maxwell.
Maxwell graduated on May 7, 2022, with a degree in Agriculture Engineering Technology with a concentration in Land Surveying and Geomatics and a minor in Military Science. While Maxwell was attending the UTM, he was Vice President of the National Society of Professional Surveyors.
Maxwell received the Tennessee Surveying Education Foundation Scholarship in 2021 and was selected for the Tennessee Road Builders Association Scholarship in 2019. He is also a part of the Tennessee Army National Guard, a husband and a father of two.
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