‘She is a true Aggie through and through’
Galloway-Jones receives honorary Barley Ring from Dalhousie
It felt a little more like tradition.
Students and supporters recently enjoyed the first non-Covid Barley Party in nearly three years on the Dalhousie Agricultural campus in Bible Hill. While those in attendance were prepared to receive their rings, one individual was not.
Barley rings are available for purchase by graduating students or alumni. An annual tradition of Barley Ring celebrations also honours a deserving individual who wouldn’t ordinarily be eligible to receive one.
These honorary rings are awarded to individuals who do not meet the criteria to be eligible for a faculty ring but who are 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 of an honorary Barley Ring is Joy Galloway-Jones, who 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 in a news release. “She is a true Aggie through and through and we cannot think of a more deserving person."
Galloway-Jones has held several student-focused positions since 2013. She’s currently the manager of Work Integrated Learning programs on campus, a position she initiated in 2017. As the manager of the Aggie WIL program, Galloway-Jones has worked to help students network and create meaningful connections in the agricultural industry, many of which have led to students jumpstarting their careers.
“Her students have learned many valuable life and career skills through their involvement with the Aggie WIL program,” added O’Neil.
In addition to her day job, Galloway-Jones is the Dal AC advisor for the World University Services of Canada (WUSC) which provides support and financial assistance to student refugees.
However, she is probably best known for being a dedicated coach of Dal AC’s very successful cross-country running team. Every year since 2009, Galloway-Jones has given up several mornings and evenings a week during the two-month cross country season to work with the team. She continues to coach the athletes year-round, staying present via social media. Team members report she is encouraging and pushes athletes out of their comfort zones.
Galloway-Jones makes running fun and cares deeply about her athletes. She and her wife Keltie ensure the team is well- ed every race day and makes sure the athletes never forget that “running makes you smarter.”
Galloway-Jones’ hard work has paid off during 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 podium 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 coaches in the league.
Outside of Dalhousie University, Galloway-Jones is 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. Galloway-Jones has been a captain with Truro Fire Service for three years and a lieutenant before that.