CONGRATS-PAUL B. STODDARD

104th Regular Session Introduced by Brad Fritts

The resolution recognizes Paul B. Stoddard for advancing Illinois agriculture and education through teaching 11,500+ students and strengthening the land‑grant mission.

Resolution Adopted

Summary of HR 814 (104th General Assembly, Illinois)

Purpose and Intent

This House Resolution formally congratulates Paul B. Stoddard on the occasion of his retirement from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

It honors his career spanning agriculture, finance, higher education, and his service to the state’s land-grant mission.

Key Provisions and Changes

The resolution articulates Stoddard’s background, including:

Early life on a Piatt County family farm.
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Illinois; Phi Beta Kappa inductee.
Professional career: farm management, commodity trading, agricultural appraisal, and financial services; notably as chief appraiser at Farm Credit Illinois.
Academic career: ten years as an adjunct, then a full-time lecturer in 2012 in the Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics, teaching topics such as agricultural marketing, farm management, negotiation, food and agribusiness management, and personal financial planning.

It highlights his impact:

More than 11,500 students have passed through his classroom.
Recognitions for teaching excellence, including the University of Illinois Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award and the College of ACES Karl E. Gardner Excellence in Undergraduate Advising Award.
Acknowledgement of his engaging teaching style, mentorship, and commitment to student success.

The resolution emphasizes his alignment with the land-grant mission by bridging agriculture, business, and education to support Illinois’ agricultural and economic vitality.

Affected Parties

Primary: Paul B. Stoddard (the individual being honored).

Secondary: The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES), and students who benefited from his teaching and mentorship.

It may also reflect positively on the broader Illinois higher education community and agricultural stakeholders recognizing the university’s impact.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Type: House Resolution (non-binding, ceremonial).

Sponsor: Co-sponsor Brad Fritts.

No fiscal implications, legislation changes, or effective dates are indicated; the action is to recognize and celebrate retirement achievements.

The resolution would be presented as a formal expression of esteem and best wishes to Paul Stoddard.

Overall Impact

The bill serves as a formal legislative acknowledgment of Paul B. Stoddard’s contributions to education, agriculture, and the Illinois community.

It publicly records appreciation for his decades of service and his role in advancing the university’s mission and impact on students and the agricultural sector.