Jull Hall

A curious incident on a Canadian farm sparked a lifelong passion. A young Morley A. Jull, feeling unwell, skipped church one Sunday. Exploring the barnyard, he stumbled upon a deceased hen. His curiosity piqued, he fetched a knife, determined to uncover the cause of death. This inquisitive boy would later become Dr. Morley A. Jull, a world-renowned poultry scientist, and the namesake of Jull Hall, right here at the University of Maryland. Jull Hall, constructed in 1953, initially buzzed with the activity of incubators, coolers, and poultry science labs. Imagine the cheeping of chicks and the hum of scientific equipment filling the air. Chicken houses once stood where parking lot Q is now. In 1989, Jull Hall transitioned, becoming the home of the Institute of Applied Agriculture. But the building’s name still whispers its poultry-centric past. Born in 1885 on a farm near Burford, Ontario, Dr. Jull’s fascination with poultry began early. His journey led him from a Bachelor of Science at the University of Toronto to becoming the Poultry Commissioner in British Columbia. He even taught poultry classes at McGill University and across the border in Vermont while pursuing his Master’s degree. Eventually, he earned his PhD in genetics from the University of Wisconsin in 1921. Arriving in Maryland in 1923, Dr. Jull joined the United States Department of Agriculture in Beltsville. His focus? Improving the quality of poultry, eggs, and meat production. He played a key role in developing the Beltsville White turkey, the smaller, “family-friendly” turkey we often enjoy today. In 1936, Dr. Jull came to the University of Maryland to head the Poultry Science Department. Here at Jull Hall, and other locations across the university, his research focused on raising fast-feathering birds, aiming to make them easier to raise and more affordable. His dedication earned him the National Poultry Science Teacher of the Year award in 1952. Dr. Jull’s influence extended beyond the university. He traveled extensively, lecturing and contributing to projects for the US Government and the World Congress of Poultry. He authored numerous articles and books, including the 1951 book “Poultry Husbandry”. A collection of his work is preserved in the Morley Jull Papers at Hornbake Library. Even after retiring in 1956, Dr. Jull continued to consult and travel internationally, his passion for poultry unwavering. So, as you stand before Jull Hall, remember the inquisitive boy, the dedicated scientist, and the legacy of Dr. Morley A. Jull, whose contributions continue to shape the world of poultry science.