Category Archives: Retirees

by | April 18, 2013 · 8:54 am

Sketches of an MSUE Retiree in Portland (Oregon)

F.X. Rosica, former county Extension director in St. Clair County, made news in Portland, Oregon, recently and it triggered a Google alert for Michigan State University Extension. Mr. Rosica was featured in a news article in The Oregonian for sketches he has made of passengers on Portland’s public transit system. Some marketing folks for the transit system discovered his pastime, and now they are featuring the sketches in their promotions of the transit system. Mr. Rosica’s career with MSU Extension was included as part of his biographic sketch and the reporter included a link to our website.

I’m always impressed by the diverse interests of Extension professionals and the variety of paths we follow through our lives. Some of you may remember Mr. Rosica – I never had the good fortune to meet him – and I thought it would be fun to share this story as another in a series featuring MSUE’s retirees. Thanks to Frank Fear, professor emeritus and former senior associate dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, for finding the article and sharing it with me.

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by | April 4, 2013 · 9:13 am

Retirees honored at reception

Each year at a luncheon, Michigan State University recognizes faculty and academic staff who have retired in the past year. MSU Extension and Epsilon Sigma Phi (ESP) co-host a reception prior to the luncheon at the Kellogg Center. This year, the event took place April 2.

As I do every year, I’d like to share some brief information about each retiree.

 Extension educator William (“Bill”) J. Carpenter began his career in MSU Extension in 1981 as county Extension director for Luce County. He later became county Extension director for Berrien, Iosco and Montcalm counties. He also served for a year as the district coordinator in District 4 before serving as an MSU Extension educator in the district in MSU Extension’s Greening Michigan Institute. Early in his career, Bill took a leave of absence to serve for a year as a senior Extension advisor in Armenia working for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). He did exceptional work in community and economic development, particularly in land-use planning, working with nonprofit groups and building capacity in organizations and people.

Kenneth R. Geuns served as Extension specialist for livestock youth programs from 1978 to 2012. From 1984 through 1986, he also served as the coordinator of livestock programs in the Institute of Agricultural Technology. From 2007 through 2012, he served as the faculty coordinator of the MSU Purebred Beef Cattle Teaching and Research Center. He taught courses in the Department of Animal Science, coached the collegiate livestock judging teams at MSU and served as faculty advisor to the MSU Block and Bridle Club. He received the Block and Bridle Club Honored Portrait Award, the Michigan Pork Producers Distinguished Service Award, the National FFA Honorary American FFA Degree and Outstanding Specialist awards from MSU Extension and the Michigan Association of Extension Agents. Other awards include the Black Hawk College Outstanding Alumni Award and Agriculture Merit Award, the Michigan Association of FFA Honorary Degree and Honorary Membership awards, and the Michigan Association of Extension 4-H Youth Staff Colleague Award and Team Effort Award.

 Gary L. Heilig has been an Extension Ingham County horticulture agent for 34 years. He has provided commercial and consumer horticulture programming for primarily the residents of Ingham County but he reached consumers around the state through his extensive live and taped television broadcasts. Gary is well known and highly respected for using multiple methods of teaching such as radio and television, video, online classes, audio files and fact sheets. He has provided relevant, substantive, well-developed, responsive educational programs throughout his career. He was part of the MSU Extension Consumer Horticulture Team, which received the eXtension Working Differently in Extension Award for the creation of the Gardening in Michigan Web site. He also received a Communication Award from the National Association of County Agricultural Agents and was a co-author of the original Master Gardener Manual.

Extension educator Linda Huyck began her work with MSU Extension in 1998 as a Montcalm County home economist. She secured funding to grow the Senior Project FRESH (Farm Resources Expanding and Supporting Health) programs in Gratiot and Montcalm counties, helped to develop the Family Living curriculum for Spectrum Health and updated the Building Better Bodies curriculum for volunteers in nutrition education in Gratiot County. In addition, she helped to plan the first ever Tri-FCS (Family and Consumer Science) Association conference for three family and consumer science professional organizations. Linda recently held a joint appointment in MSU Extension’s Health and Nutrition Institute and Greening Michigan Institute, specializing in food safety and financial literacy education. Her exceptional work focused on family capacity building, reaching hundreds of people and establishing mentorship programs. She received national recognition numerous times from the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (NEAFCS) including the Distinguished Service Award, Regional Educational Technology Award, State Community Partnership Team Award, State Financial Management Award and the State Impact on Youth and Family Award.

Children and youth program leader Elizabeth (“Betsy”) McPherson Knox served as an Ionia County home economics educator and 4-H youth agent before moving to campus as an associate program leader and then program leader. Betsy wrote, developed and used a variety of curricula for the performing and visual arts, and the promotion of global, cultural and international understanding. She has also worked in the area of 4-H environmental and outdoor education and more recently in leadership and civic engagement. She has coordinated more than 1,750 4-H Exploration Days sessions in nearly 25 years on campus. She’s received recognition on numerous occasions including the John A. Hannah Award for Excellence for leading the Chengdu China Dance Troupe Project. Over time, this stellar program resulted in more than 11 different cross-cultural programs with China and reached more than 300,000 Michigan youth. The ongoing 4-H Children’s Art Exchange with China is one of those programs.

In 1988, Extension educator Michael McFadden joined MSU Extension as an agricultural agent for Gladwin and Isabella counties. In 1994, he became an Extension dairy educator for Clare, Gladwin, Isabella, Midland and Saginaw counties. He provided educational programing, problem solving and applied research in a variety of agriculture and animal agriculture areas throughout his career. Highly respected by colleagues, advisory groups and the producers with whom he worked for his exceptional competency in a wide variety of areas, Michael was well known for developing meaningful professional relationships with producers and others in the community. He specialized in conducting farm research to solve local problems. The community routinely sought him out as a valuable source of credible, relevant timely information. He found it important to reach underserved farmers and their families, and included the entire farm family when appropriate.

Senior Extension educator Norman (“Norm”) L. Myers began his career as a county agriculture Extension agent in 1982, serving for two years in Montcalm County. He then moved to Newaygo and Muskegon counties for five years, and in 1989, he became county Extension director for Oceana County. In 2009, Mr. Myers earned the advanced title of senior Extension educator. At the time of his retirement, he was serving as a regional vegetable educator in MSU Extension’s Agriculture and Agribusiness Institute (AABI). Norm was an active leader in animal and plant production, particularly in the areas of vegetables and Christmas trees. He developed strong working relationships and did significant work on behalf of many commodity groups. He developed the annual Oceana Asparagus Day, which has grown into the largest educational program for asparagus growers in North America. He assisted in advancing the Tom-Cast disease forecasting system and PCR testing of aster yellows infectivity as important pest management tools in asparagus and carrots. He demonstrated and promoted petiole sap nitrogen testing as a means of reducing nitrogen use and costs in carrots, and he promoted higher density asparagus planting as a means for increasing asparagus yields. He received numerous awards including MSU Extension’s Diversity and Pluralism Award, the Michigan Vegetable Council’s Master Farmer Associate Award, the National Association of County Agricultural Agent’s Distinguished Service Award for Excellence and the Michigan Christmas Tree Association’s President’s Award.

Throughout her 31 years in MSU Extension, senior Extension educator Natalie Rector has reached hundreds of farmers in south central Michigan as a widely respected crop agent. In that role, she helped producers coordinate the Innovative Farmers of South Central Michigan, conducting demonstration plots and on-farm tours. As MSU Extension’s manure nutrient management field specialist, she helped livestock and crop producers work together to make efficient and conscientious use of animal waste as fertilizer. Natalie worked with state officials to develop the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP). She conducted research and outreach focused on helping farmers utilize manure in an economical and environmentally friendly manner. Her work helped farmers save money while conscientiously taking advantage of valuable resources. She has been a team player within Michigan as well as across the Midwest as coordinator of a 10-state grant project to bring Extension faculty and staff together on manure management issues. She has received numerous awards. Most recently, the Michigan Farm Bureau named her the recipient of the organization’s 2012 Distinguished Service to Agriculture (DSA) Award. She was also the 2004 MSU Distinguished Academic Staff Award recipient and received the Distinguished Service Award from the Michigan Pork Producers Association. Since retiring, Natalie has joined the Corn Marketing Program of Michigan as research coordinator.

Extension educator Carol A. Rosinski joined MSU Extension as a home economist in 1994, serving Cheboygan County. She later became an Extension family development agent in that same county. Her focus on programs affecting youth and families at risk through the Cheboygan County Juvenile Court proved innovative and successful. She continually evaluated her programs through data collection to make improvements and increase effectiveness. Her work empowered young people and parents, and strengthened families by providing needed services, activities and training. She effectively collaborated with area counseling agencies, law enforcement agencies, school personnel and administrators, Community Mental Health personnel and Probate Court judges. Carol developed and managed a collaborative program, the Straits Area Youth Promotion Academy, a successful partnership day treatment program between MSU Extension and the Cheboygan County Family Court. This treatment program served youth at risk of being placed out of their homes and assigned to residential placements. Parents and youth learned life-changing skills such as developing positive relationships as well as addressing drug abuse and violent behavior. Carol served as director, juvenile officer, case manager and licensed social worker for all young people ordered to the program.

Extension educator Patricia Waugh began her work with MSU Extension as a Lapeer County 4-H program assistant. She left MSU for a short time to work as a Head Start teacher and parent educator, and to coordinate the volunteer services for McLaren Hospice. She then rejoined Extension where she coordinated the Lapeer County 4-H youth program and served as a resource for positive youth development to others in the county. Patricia showed outstanding dedication and commitment to the youth and families of Michigan throughout her career. Adult volunteers and youth members often expressed their support and confidence in her leadership. She forged many collaborative efforts in the county she served as well as in neighboring counties. She received recognition for her work often throughout her career including a nomination for Lapeer Chamber of Commerce Female Citizen of the Year in 2009. Other professional awards included the Michigan Distinguished Service Award, the Team Effort Award for 4-H Afterschool, the Presidential Citation for the Club Read Program, the Michigan Association of Extension 4-H Youth Staff (MAE4-HYS) Presidential award, the MAE4-HYS Team Award for Take the Day on Diversity Program and the 4-H International Award.

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by | September 6, 2012 · 10:02 am

Footprints in the sand

One of the characteristics of so many Michigan State University Extension professionals is that they never seem willing to stop helping to make things better, helping people improve their lives. A great example of that is Gale Arent, who retired as associate director of MSUE in 2002. Immediately upon retiring, Gale was tapped by Jeff Armstrong, who was dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) to lead relationship-building with legislators and state administrative officials on behalf of MSUE and the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station (now MSU AgBioResearch). Gale helped us to establish a presence with decision makers at a time when our funding was being tossed around like a political football. Although no one expected him to accomplish a “time out,” Gale was successful in helping us overcome repeated “penalties” (executive proposals for significant budget cuts in our funding).

Having established a well-tuned process for engaging with decision makers, Gale once again retired from MSU in 2005 … and immediately went to work for the Michigan greenhouse industry. He helped them create a new organization, the Michigan Floriculture Growers Council (MFGC), and served as its executive director. As he had with CANR, Gale helped the MFGC build relationships with decision makers at the state and federal levels, educating those officials on the opportunities and challenges the industry faces, and seeking assistance to help the industry grow. The floriculture industry represents the fourth largest sector in Michigan’s burgeoning agriculture economy, and this kind of strategic leadership has helped the industry to remain strong in challenging times.

Gale’s connection with the floriculture industry goes back many years to his time as an Extension agent and then county Extension director in Kalamazoo County. He helped those in the industry build cooperatives for marketing their products and helped them learn about and adopt production practices to help improve the bottom line.

Gale is retiring once again, this time from his role as executive director of the MFGC. When I think of the record of contributions Gale has made throughout his career in Michigan, I am reminded of the posters, greeting cards and songs that draw the comparison between footprints found on a beach and the impacts a person leaves behind from a life’s work. Gale’s footprints can be found extensively across Michigan, and even though sand tends to erode from wind and rain, the impacts of his work are lasting, having changed the face of Michigan agriculture forever.

So now Gale and his wife, Fame, are moving to Florida, ostensibly for retirement. Gale stopped in the office to say farewell a few weeks ago, and I didn’t hear him say anything about slowing down. So I won’t be surprised to hear stories from our colleagues in Florida about this guy who showed up from Michigan in 2012 and immediately began to have an impact on agriculture and communities in Florida. We wish Fame and Gale well and look forward to hearing about more footprints in a warmer climate.

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by | August 30, 2012 · 8:53 am

Looking for MSU Extension retiree news

In this Spotlight, I highlight accomplishments and awards of Michigan State University Extension faculty and staff members and that includes retirees. If you know of a retiree – it can even be you! – who has recently won an award, been recognized for community or professional service, published a new book, started a new blog – anything that warrants a shout out in my blog, please send the information on to me. I’ll be happy to mention it here.

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by | August 2, 2012 · 3:07 pm

Keeping up with retirees

We are very much a “people organization,” one that not only depends on resourceful, creative, bright and caring staff members, but one that excels in direct proportion to the emotional intelligence of the individuals who make up our staff and the culture of shared commitment and effort that makes us a team. Retirement presents challenges to any people organization – we lose frequent contact with former colleagues and collaborators, and over time, we lose track of where they live, what they’re doing, and whether they’re in good health or not. This MSUE Spotlight newsletter goes out to a group of retirees who have asked to be included in the mailings. It’s a small way of remaining connected, but it often leads to some very welcome messages from retirees that help me understand the history and wealth of our heritage even more.

In order to help me keep up with retirees – at least their email whereabouts – it would be great for individuals to either let me know directly by email or by responding on my blog about any changes they may wish to share. Even better, feel free to share information – and this includes news that may be of interest to others – with our Human Resources office. Julie Dansby does a great job of sending out notifications when we learn of a former colleague’s passing, not through MSUE Spotlight, but as a direct mailing to a listing that she keeps of current and former employees. Please send her any changes in email address and mailing address directly to msuehr@anr.msu.edu. And if you learn of one of your former colleagues passing away, please share that information with her as well so she can share that information more widely.

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by | April 19, 2012 · 10:26 am

More retirees recognized

You may recall last week’s Spotlight in which I gave brief information about some of the retirees honored at a luncheon given by Michigan State University April 10 and also honored at the reception we co-hosted with the Michigan State chapter of Epsilon Sigma Phi (ESP) at the Kellogg Center. Since we had quite a list, I decided to break them up into two separate editions. As promised, I share information about the rest of the retirees below.

 Gerard (“Gerry”) Adams, associate professor in the Department of Plant Pathology with additional appointments in MSU Extension and AgBioResearch, focused on mycology, diseases of nursery crops and forest pathology throughout his career. His research helped cast light upon the causes of Alder dieback and other important tree diseases. He engaged in U.S. Forest Service projects, investigating important forest pathogens in the Rocky Mountain areas, Alaska and Michigan. His work included research on the taxonomy of fungi that cause canker disease on a wide range of trees, resulting in his co-authoring a book on the taxonomy and morphology of Cytospora species. Gerry will continue his work in mycology at the University of Nebraska where his spouse, Heather, serves as a faculty member.

 David E. Andersen, regional land use educator, Alger County, joined MSU Extension as an SFI program agent, and in 1997, he became the county Extension director of Schoolcraft County. Early in his tenure in Schoolcraft County, he successfully facilitated the Community Assessment Process. He built strong relationships with the county commission, made numerous new partnerships with county agencies and organizations, and creatively found ways to build support and program staffing levels within the county. In his time with MSU Extension, David’s administrative abilities built a strong county team.

 Benjamin Bartlett, senior Extension educator, began his professional career with MSU in 1977 as the manager of the Upper Peninsula Experiment Station. He joined MSU Extension in 1983, serving as the U.P.’s dairy and livestock agent/educator for 28 years. Dr. Bartlett has received numerous awards, among them the ESP Visionary Leadership Award, the Outstanding Extension Educator Award, the American Sheep Industry Flock Guardian Award, the Growing UP Agriculture Association’s Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award and the Distinguished Extension Academic Staff Award.

 Sandra S. Batie joined the Department of Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics in 1993 as the first holder of the Elton R. Smith Professor in Food and Agricultural Policy. She specialized in environmental, natural resource and agricultural policy issues. She served on numerous committees of the National Academy of Sciences Board of Agriculture and served as trustee and chair of Winrock International and of the International Rice Research Institute. She also served on the Board of Directors and as president of the American and Southern Economic associations. Dr. Batie was named a fellow in the American Agricultural Economics Association (now the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association).

 Stephen B. Fouch, county Extension director, joined MSU Extension in 1976 as a research technician for the district horticulture agent in Traverse City. He then served as the farm supervisor for the Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Center, an MSUE agriculture agent and the county director of Benzie, Chippewa, Crawford and Mackinac counties. Stephen has received numerous awards, such as the NACAA Communication Award, the NACAA Public Relations in Daily Efforts Award and the Vanguard Award for Master Gardening Efforts at Kinross Correctional Facility. He has been acknowledged for recognition from the NW Farm Bureau and received an MAEA President’s Citation.

 John Grix, director of Kettunen Center, joined MSU Extension in July 1986 after spending five years working in the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. He started out as a county Extension 4-H youth agent and was appointed associate program leader and later director of the Kettunen Center. As the center’s director, he has overseen major renovations and additions to the facility that served to improve the center’s hospitality and learning services capacity. His leadership helped to define the center as a nationally recognized conference and meeting site. John served as president of the International Association of Conference Center Administrators (IACCA). Through that organization, he received the Certified Conference Center Professional designation – one of the first in this country. He also served as president of the Michigan Association of Extension 4-H Youth Staff (MAE4-HYS).

 Frederick (“Fred”) Hinkley, county Extension director, Ogemaw County, joined MSU Extension in 1974 in Van Buren County. He left Extension in 1981 but returned in 1994 to Sanilac County as a livestock agent as part of the animal initiative. He has served as the Extension resource agent in Sanilac and Huron counties, the program committee chair for the Regional Management Team, the county Extension director in Ogemaw County and the acting county Extension director of Oscoda County. Fred has received numerous awards including the John A. Hannah Award in 2011, the Regional Award for the “Milk Marketing Clubs” program and a team award for the Northern Michigan Grazing Conference.

 Marion E. Hubbard, Extension educator, started working at MSU Extension in 1990 as the Macomb County Extension home economist, where she managed the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) and the Family Nutrition Program (FNP). In 1994, she moved to Wayne County as the Extension home economist. There, she continued to manage the EFNEP and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. She has received numerous awards such as the National Coalition for Consumer Education Healthy Communities Recognition, Michigan Distinguished Service Award, Michigan Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (MEAFCS) Marketing Package Award for the Wayne County Project FRESH and the MSU Extension Certificate of Achievement for the Facilitator Excellence Workshop.

 Maurice J. Kaercher, county Extension director, joined MSU Extension in 1983 as an agricultural Extension agent in Kalamazoo County and spent 20 years in Kalamazoo before relocating to St. Joseph County. In St. Joseph County, he served as a regional livestock educator and then county Extension director before retiring in May 2011. In 2008, he was the first to introduce “Annie’s Project” to Michigan. In 2003, he was recognized as Michigan Cattlemen’s Association member of the year. In 2005, Maurice received the Distinguished Service Award from the Michigan Agriculture Extension Agents. In addition, both the St. Joseph Farm Bureau and Kalamazoo County Farm Bureau recognized him with the Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award in 2009 and 2011. In 2011, he received the “Above and Beyond” award from the St. Joseph County 4-H program.

 Juan Marinez, MSU Extension program director, joined MSU Extension in 1973 as a program leader in special programs. He also served as a regional Extension supervisor for MSU Extension. From 1999 to 2002, he worked for Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman as the national program coordinator on farm workers and secured $20 million to farm workers who had been negatively affected by natural disasters, the first-ever available funds to go to farm worker assistance during a natural disaster. Most recently, Juan served as an assistant to the director where he was responsible for establishing a nationwide network of community-based, nonprofit organizations serving migrant/seasonal farm workers living in low-income situations. He established the first Hispanic farmer’s cooperative in Michigan. His research work on enumerating Hispanic farmers has had a positive impact on the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistical Service census.

 Dennis McClure, county Extension director, started out with MSU Extension in 1986 as a 4-H program assistant in Montmorency County. He served as a county Extension director for 22 years and served as an Extension educator for Firewise and youth development. He helped to develop a community education youth group, implemented gypsy moth programming, helped to bring the nurse practitioner program to northern Michigan, and was an original member of the Small Farm Conference planning committee and a facilitation trainer. In 2010, Dennis assisted the AuSable River Estate Association in protecting homes from wildfires and in becoming Michigan’s first Firewise Model Community. He received numerous awards including a team award for the “Small Farm Conference” and the 4-H Presidential Award.

 Daniel B. Rajzer, county Extension director, joined MSU Extension in 1985 as an Extension agricultural agent in Van Buren County. In 1994, he became county Extension director (CED) in Cass County. As CED and Extension agricultural agent, Daniel developed educational programs designed to meet the local needs of agricultural producers with responsibility primarily in the field crops and livestock area. He also provided leadership in determining priority needs with stakeholders and helped to develop and implement meaningful programs. He has received numerous awards such as the Distinguished Service Award from the NACAA and the Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award from the Cass County Farm Bureau. He completed the MSU Extension Mentoring Program in 2007 and was an MSU Extension Leadership Academy graduate in 2008.

 Susan B. Smalley, assistant professor in the Department of Community, Agriculture, Recreation and Resource Studies, served in Extension from 1970 to 2007 as home economist, county director, regional supervisor, program leader and specialist. Beginning in home economics, she broadened her scope to encompass agriculture, finally focusing on sustainable food and agriculture, especially small farm business planning, marketing and management. She organized seminars for students interested in sustainable agriculture that helped lead to MSU’s Student Organic Farm. She taught classes and co-facilitated multicultural self-awareness workshops. She was a founder of Michigan Food and Farming Systems and the Michigan Farmers Market Association. She received the MSU Distinguished Academic Staff Award in 2003. Dr. Smalley helped coordinate annual U.S. Department of Agriculture sustainable agriculture research grants for nearly a decade. She co-authored evaluation studies of USDA sustainable agriculture projects in the North Central and Southern U.S. In 2007, she became director of the C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems at MSU, helping lay the groundwork for MSU’s new Center for Regional Food Systems.

 William (“Bill”) L. Steenwyk, Extension educator, joined MSU Extension in 1984 as a Barry County Extension agricultural agent. He has also served as the Extension agricultural agent in Kent and Ottawa counties, was the acting county Extension director in Kent County and became the county Extension director in Ionia County in 1997. He has worked as an Extension educator for vegetable crops since 2007. He also wrote a weekly newspaper Farm Talk column. He frequently represented agriculture and MSU Extension to western Michigan broadcast and print media, and appeared as a special guest on TV and radio talk shows. He has authored and reviewed a number of Extension bulletins. Bill won several awards in his time at MSU Extension, including the Outstanding Pesticide Applicator Training Program Award, the NACAA best slide presentation in soil science and the MAEA Presidential Citation.

 Vera J. Wiltse, MSU Extension educator, began her career with MSU Extension as an Extension educator in Isabella County, where she provided leadership for initiating the Horseback Riding for Handicappers program (now PEP, the Proud Equestrians Program,) and the Isabella County CHARACTER COUNTS! Coalition. She also organized a committee to initiate 4-H programming for 5- to 8-year-olds before it was adopted statewide and shared the Michigan Barn and Farmstead Survey history initiative model in intergenerational knowledge transfer with many youth and adults. Vera has served as adjunct staff to the MSU Museum, and she was involved in international 4-H programs. In October 2010, she became a part of the MSU Extension Children and Youth Institute. She received the 1990 MSU Extension John Hannah Award for her work with the Michigan 4-H China Project and has also been recognized with the Michigan and National 4-H Distinguished Service awards, Michigan and National 4-H International Programming Award and the Outstanding Quality Program Award at the National 4-H International Coordinators Conference. In 2004, she was inducted into the 4-H Emerald Clover Society.

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by | April 12, 2012 · 9:58 am

Retirees recognized at reception

Each year, Michigan State University honors faculty and academic staff who have retired in the past year at a luncheon. Previous retirees are invited to the luncheon as well, so it fills the Big 10 room at Kellogg Center. We celebrated many careers at the luncheon held this week on April 10, and as always, we co-host a reception at the Kellogg Center with the Michigan State chapter of Epsilon Sigma Phi (ESP). It was a full room, and it was great to see the newly retired as well as those who have worked for MSUE previously. As I do every year, I’d like to share some brief information about each retiree with you here in the Spotlight. When we have a large number of retirees, as we do this year, I like to spread them over several editions of the Spotlight, so I’ll feature half today and the other half next week.

 Cheryl (“Cheri”) Booth; state leader for 4-H Youth Development; interim associate director of Extension for Children, Youth and Families; and co-director of MSU Families and Communities Together (FACT) Coalition; joined MSU Extension in 1979 as a home economist. She served in various capacities and in 2001, she began leading 4-H Youth Development, the state’s largest youth development program in terms of both youth participants and volunteers. Dr. Booth has received numerous awards including the Epsilon Sigma Phi’s Administrative Leadership Award, the MSU Extension Diversity Award, the Governor’s Minuteman Award and the Distinguished Service Awards from both the Michigan and National Associations of Extension Home Economists. She was inducted into the Michigan 4-H Emerald Clover Society in 2004 and into the Outstanding Youth Women of America in 1998.

 Mirjana Bulatovic-Danilovich, Extension educator, began her career with MSU Extension as a district educator specializing in orchard production management, tree and nut-tree fruit production, and marketing. As a highly successful educator in the area of fruit production, Dr. Bulatovic-Danilovich was instrumental in addressing the concerns and challenges of commercial and individual growers. She provided technical expertise around the USAID international program for Serbian fruit production, and she has successfully incorporated their growing approaches within Michigan.

 Claudette K. Byers, Extension educator, started working as an MSU Extension program assistant in Newaygo County in 1996, working on a school nutrition 4-H grant. In 2006, she became an Extension educator, delivering the Better Kid Care Program to seven counties in western Michigan. In her last year with Extension, she served as Extension educator, supervising the SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) as well as life skills programs for at-risk teens in Newaygo County. Claudette was masterful at managing and understanding complex granting processes and procedures. As an early adapter of technology, she incorporated it in many aspects of her programs and diligently documented and evaluated program effectiveness and outcomes. She taught very successful resource management, anger management and life skills trainings throughout her career and especially enjoyed her work with alternative education students.

 Roberta L. Dow, district Extension educator, began working for MSU Extension in 1995 as the northern district water quality educator. As a water quality educator, Dr. Dow has developed materials and provided agricultural and residential-oriented programming for the Michigan Water Stewardship Program. She taught groundwater technicians, volunteers, educators, farmers and homeowners and worked with grant groups. Dr. Dow has won numerous awards, including the John A. Hannah Award for Program Excellence, the National Association of County Agricultural Agents (NACAA) Achievement Award and Distinguished Service Award, the Michigan Association of Extension Agents (MAEA) President’s Citation, an NACAA Public Relations in Daily Efforts Award and the 2011 Northwest Michigan Farm Bureau Distinguished Service Award. She also was the 2005 NACAA Public Relations in Daily Efforts national finalist, the 2006 NACAA Communications Award publication regional finalist and the 2009 NACAA Communications Award bound-book national finalist.

 Kathryn (“Kathy”) Stuever Foerster, senior program leader, joined MSU Extension in October of 1976 as a home economist in Alcona County and later served in that role in Branch and Calhoun counties. Kathy also served as Calhoun County Extension director, Extension council coordinator, program support coordinator, professional development program leader and interim family consumer sciences state leader. She has received numerous awards including the John Hannah Award for Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) housing program and Distinguished Service and Continuing Excellence from MAEHE/NAEHE. Awards also included the Guiding Star from the Food Bank of South Central Michigan, a national Epsilon Sigma Phi team award, a Commitment to Youth Award from the W K Kellogg Foundation and a Champion for Children Award from the Calhoun County Coordinating Council.

 Michael (“Mike”) Jensen, county Extension director, joined MSU Extension in 1986 as an Extension 4-H youth agent in Washtenaw County. He also served as an associate program leader, an Extension special reporting tech and a county Extension director in Baraga, Clare, Gladwin, Lake and Schoolcraft counties. While with MSU Extension, Mike helped research and refine the Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) development and incorporated new technologies and social marketing to keep the community and partners connected to the process. Mike is currently the county Extension director, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida in Sebring, Fla.

 Patricia (“Pat”) Joyce, Extension educator, started working at MSU Extension in 1997 as a Kent County Extension educator, where she taught first-time homeownership and financial management classes. In 1999, she became the Food and Nutrition Program (FNP) regional coordinator in the West Central Region, serving 15 counties. In 2006, she became the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) regional coordinator in the Central Region, serving 17 counties. In 2011, she became an Extension educator in the Improving Health and Nutrition Institute, working in Disease Prevention and Management (DPM) and Food Safety (FS). In 2000, she received the Florence Hall Award. In 2011, she received the Doris Wetters Travel Fellowship to participate in the Epsilon Sigma Phi-sponsored rural development study tour to Ireland. With the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce, she was successful in creating an employer-assisted, down-payment housing program. In her role as SNAP regional coordinator, she helped identify match opportunities that generated more than $1 million.

 Allen Krizek, coordinator, joined MSU Extension in 1975 as an area Extension horticulture agent for Lapeer, Macomb and St. Clair counties. From 1980 to 1996, he served as the Eaton County Extension director. In 1996, Dr. Krizek became the Extension liaison for the Michigan Groundwater Stewardship Program, in which he and district staff coordinated the educational program for groundwater technicians and AmeriCorps members. He and his colleagues also developed educational materials that promoted nutrient and pest management practices that are protective of water resources for both agricultural and residential audiences. Dr. Krizek has received numerous awards, including the Epsilon Sigma Phi Administrative Leadership Award, the Farm Bureau Distinguished Service to Agriculture and the 2010 regional Entomology Educational Project Award for the educational bulletin “Grape *A* Syst: Michigan Grape Grower Sustainability Assessment and Risk Reduction Tool.”

 Ira J. Krupp, Extension dairy educator, joined MSU Extension in 1981 as an Extension agricultural agent in Ottawa County. In 1995, he became Extension dairy agent in western Michigan and in 2005, he became an Extension dairy educator in southwestern Michigan. Ira has received numerous awards, such as the 1993 Epsilon Sigma Phi Extension Team Award for work on milk and dairy beef quality assurance programming. He received several national communication awards from the NACAA, including an award for developing a learning module, a video presentation on alfalfa production, and a second award for developing a fact sheet on using poultry litter as a protein supplement in dairy heifer rations. He was also a past recipient of the John A. Hannah Award and the 1988 Dow Study Tour Award. In 2005, Dairy Farmers of America presented Ira with the “Friend of Dairy Farmers Award” for 25 years of service to the dairy industry of western Michigan.

LaVerne Andrew (“Andy”) Norman, Extension educator, joined MSU in 1972 as an Extension horticulture agent in Genesee County. In 1974, he became an Extension agriculture and resource development agent and moved to Benzie County. In 1982, he became Benzie County Extension director. In 1995, Andy was instrumental in working with Dr. Clifford Jump, then director of the MSU Institute of Agricultural Technology (IAT), to develop an IAT certificate program in applied plant science to be offered in northwestern Michigan at four colleges. Andy has coordinated the program since its inception. He received the NACAA Distinguished Service Award in 2001. He also received awards from Northwest Michigan (2004) and Benzie-Manistee (1999) fruit growers along with numerous other professional and community awards.

 Janet Seitz, Extension educator, began her career with MSU Extension as an Extension home economist in Jackson. During her tenure, she served on three statewide assignments: statewide leadership development for Extension homemakers, statewide coordinator for homebuyer education for first-time homebuyers and statewide coordinator for the ServSafe education program. Janet provided vital leadership for MSU Extension’s food safety team for many years while also managing the Jackson County office as county Extension director, a role she assumed in 2002. In 2008, she began organizing a statewide effort to make ServSafe training available throughout Michigan. She received numerous awards throughout her career, but most recently, extremely special to her was receiving the Extension Meritorious Service Award in October 2011.

 Hannah S. Stevens, senior Extension educator, joined MSU Extension in 1981 as an Extension horticultural agent in Macomb County. In 1992, she became an Extension agricultural and natural resources agent and in 2010, achieved senior Extension educator status. Throughout her career, she developed and implemented meaningful educational programs to meet the diverse agricultural and horticultural interests of all residents of Macomb County. Her work as an innovation counselor with the MSU Product Center allowed her the opportunity to take part in an Ireland Rural Development Study Tour, where she gained experience in alternative enterprise development. Since 2005, she has counseled more than 200 food businesses and assisted in the start-up or launch of dozens of new enterprises. She has received numerous awards and honors including the President’s Citation and Distinguished Service Award both from the National Association of County Agriculture Agents and, on multiple occasions, the National Association of Counties Achievement Award.

 Kathy Surratt, 4-H youth agent, joined MSU Extension in 1978 as an Extension 4-H youth program assistant in Monroe County. Kathy became the Extension 4-H youth agent in Barry County in 1981 and worked in this position for 30 years. She was responsible for managing, developing and maintaining an MSU Extension 4-H program of 56 clubs and more than 900 members. She has received numerous awards, including the Michigan State University Diversity Award, Michigan 4-H Distinguished Service Award and the National 4-H Distinguished Service Award. She also received a Presidential Citation from the Michigan Association of Extension 4-H Youth staff and an Exceptional Performance Award.

 

Van Virgil Varner, district Extension educator, joined MSU Extension in June 1978 as an Extension crops agent in Huron County. In 1981, he became the Gratiot County Extension director. He was a chair of the Greater Gratiot Development Organization, assisted the Gratiot County Renaissance Zones and helped found the Leadership Committee for a Countywide Strategic Plan resulting in the start of the Gratiot County Community Foundation. In March 1998, he served as the district farm management educator in southeastern Michigan until his retirement. He also served as the interim county Extension director of Livingston County for 18 months. Van has received numerous awards including the Extension Team Award for the Food System Economic Partnership, the NACAA Distinguished Service Award and an Extension Team Award for Gratiot County Extension.

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by | December 15, 2011 · 10:14 am

It is what it is: Reflections on a land-grant personality

Over the past two years, we have seen a tremendous number of colleagues leave our organization, either through retirement, resignation for other opportunities, death or staff reductions. It’s difficult to not feel devastated by the capacity we have lost as an organization and even more by the personal connections and collaborations with our colleagues. I’ve attended too many farewells, and although with each one, I am reminded of how rich we have been and how much we have been strengthened by our colleagues, I always walk away thinking, “How are we going to get our work done without this person’s skills and passion?” We’ll cope and move on, but it’s tough to swallow.

 So a few weeks ago, I found myself at another one of these receptions and found myself called upon to speak to the person’s career and personality. And as has been so often the case over the past 15 years, my good friend and colleague Frank Fear, senior associate dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, helped to remind me of what we do when we leave the retirement reception: we move on. We pick up and continue the work.

 The reception was for Frank. Dr. Fear is retiring from Michigan State University, and although he will be carrying out a number of projects over the next year as part of his retirement consultancy, he will be stepping down from the administrative role he has carried since 2005. There is so much to say about Frank, much of it humorous, but here’s what struck me during his retirement reception: Frank embodies the land-grant spirit. He truly is all about getting the work done that is put before us, whether we like it or not, whether we have all the resources we need or not. Because the ultimate resource we need is within each of us – our compassion and commitment to serve others.

 One of the things I’ve learned from Frank is that whatever situation you find – maybe it’s solvable, maybe it isn’t – the only response that makes sense is to address it. You can analyze it, try to determine the best course of action, base your analysis and action on sound principles, values and up-to-date understanding of how things work, and then act, do, pursue, try, but don’t quit. That’s what I’ve learned from Frank Fear. That’s a bit of what he has taught me about being a land-grant professional. That is his Spartan Saga.

 One of Frank’s many therapeutic phrases (for his therapy or for others, I’ve never been sure) is “It is what it is.” For me, “It is what it is” really captures that spirit of resorting to the only thing we really control – our own actions and our own commitment to serve others. At the end of analyzing a tough situation, as frustrating as a predicament may be, as intransigent as an individual may be, “It is what it is” means that a land-grant professional accepts the circumstance as it is. Angst spent on the circumstance is angst wasted. Gnashing of teeth may be therapeutic, but doesn’t accomplish anything more than wearing down the enamel on your incisors. Angst spent on figuring out how to address the circumstance, how to do so with respect to the individuals involved, that is angst well spent.

 This place won’t be nearly as fun without Frank’s wit to spice up meetings. But inevitably, I know that there will be many times in meetings when we’ll find ourselves stuck with frustration over the predicament we’re in and someone’s going to be Frank and say, “Well, it is what it is, so let’s deal with it and get done what needs to be done.”

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by | April 28, 2011 · 12:29 pm

Retirees’ contributions highlighted

Every spring, Michigan State University holds a luncheon for recent faculty and academic staff retirees and invites back previous retirees for the luncheon. All of the retirees were invited to a reception prior to the luncheon, hosted by the MSU Extension Director’s Office and Epsilon Sigma Phi (ESP). I’d like to share some brief information about each retiree with you here in the Spotlight.

 Alden M. Booren, Departments of Food Science and Human Nutrition and Animal Science, AgBioRearch and MSU Extension. One of the outstanding services of Dr. Booren to the university was the extensive renovation of the meat laboratory under his direction. It’s now the focal point for MSU meat science teaching, research and Extension programs, and attracts millions of dollars in extramural funding. Over the years, he has built a national and international reputation in his area of meat science, taught thousands of students, and through his research, has improved meat food science and safety to the benefit of all. Through his Extension activities, he has helped the Michigan and U.S. meat industry to be successful. Among his numerous awards is the 2010 Outstanding Service Award from the American Association of Meat Processors. Filling Al’s shoes is one of the challenges we face in these difficult budgets, but with leadership from both of Al’s Department Chairs, Drs. Janice Swanson and Fred Derksen, we’re finding new ways to serve meat processors in Michigan.

 Stephen B. Harsh, Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics, AgBioRearch and MSU Extension. Dr. Harsh became known internationally as one of the first researchers to pioneer and further the use of information technology in agriculture. Known for his scholarly based outreach programs for agricultural industries, he has provided steady leadership in coordinating and training Extension educators. More recently, his efforts have focused on renewable energy, particularly wind energy. He has collaborated with U.S. and European colleagues on scientific articles and organizing international conferences. Although his classes were challenging, Dr. Harsh had a wide reputation of being a caring teacher. Dr. Harsh is a past recipient of MSU’s Distinguished Faculty Award, the Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship, the John A. Hannah Award for Extension Excellence, USDA Superior Service Award, and has chaired sessions of the Salzburg Seminar. Dr. Harsh served on the MSU Athletic Council, college and university curriculum committees, University Academic Council, and as director of the College Computer Services and Budget Office. Dr. Harsh also has given tremendously as a volunteer for the Chief Okemos Council of the Boy Scouts of America, and I’m confident he’ll continue serving in many ways in retirement.

 Janice K. Hartough, MSU Extension – Southwest Region. Since 1972, Janice has taken on a variety of administrative and leadership roles in Extension, including county Extension director for Barry County, area Extension home economist, and Extension coordinator for the Kettering Dialogue and Deliberation Initiative. Her work in helping develop the Kettering initiative, including the implementation of related training programs and strategic plans, was indispensable. Janice has presented adult learning sessions and workshops at state, national and international levels, and has been an active member and leader in Epsilon Sigma Phi, the honorary society of Extension professionals. She possesses the qualities of a great leader that created effective relationships with public officials, and community and state agencies.

 Ralph W. Heiden, MSU Extension – Agriculture/Agribusiness Institute. Ralph started his career at MSU in 1987, working in the Department of Horticulture as a coordinator for the Master Gardener Volunteer Program (MGVP). In the spring of 1989, He joined MSU Extension as a county Extension horticulture agent in Jackson County. Highly respected in the MGVP, he taught several statewide conference events, served as keynote speaker at several community group meetings, and maintained a valuable working relationship with Partnership Park, a small gardening project in the Jackson community. Ralph has been at the forefront of the use of technology to enhance the MGVP, including work in website management as well as portal development and training. He has been responsible for forming collaborations with several agencies, among them the Department on Aging, Jackson Conservation District and the Dahlem Center. He has been a strong voice for MSU Extension in local media outlets, particularly the Jackson Citizen Patriot for which he writes monthly articles.

 Richard H. Leep, Department of Crop and Soil Sciences. Dr. Leep joined the MSU Department of Crop and Soil Sciences in 1976, after spending 2 ½ years as an MSU County Extension educator. He has provided educational and technical assistance to Extension educators and farmers across the state, in the areas of alfalfa management, alternative forage crops and general forage crop pasture management. In recognition of his contributions as an Extension forage specialist, Dr. Leep has received numerous awards and honors, including the most coveted award of the forage industry, the 2010 American Forage and Grasslands Society Medallion Award for outstanding service to the national and international forage industry.

 May Mong, MSU Extension – Health and Nutrition Institute. In 1994, May Mong joined the Extension staff as a home economist in Genesee County. She provided educational trainings on promoting healthy eating habits, planning meals and combating obesity in young adults. Throughout her career, May had the ability to be flexible in adjusting the focus of programming and working with multiple county partners. She was dedicated to building effective relationships within the community in order to meet the community’s needs, serving diverse audiences and being a powerful advocate for the university and for Extension.

 Barbara L. Mutch, Department of Community, Agriculture, Recreation and Resource Studies and MSU Extension. Barbara has been part of MSU since 1980, focusing on community development, public health, food security, and access and availability. Through her leadership of Better Kid Care, a project funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and the Family Independence Agency of Michigan, she helped to establish the Saginaw Family Childcare Network and to lead other communities toward similar organizations. Barbara served on a Michigan Food Policy Council Task Force as a liaison to the Michigan Nutrition Network, Michigan State Nutrition Action Plan, Vital Aging Team and Connecting Michigan Families. In 2003, she helped found the C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems in MSU’s Department of Community, Agriculture, Recreation and Resource Studies, where she was an outreach specialist. In 2007, she developed the Choices Conference for nutrition professionals to help participants consider nutrition within a community food context. In 2008, she moved to the Michigan Nutrition Network where she helped guide its growth into new areas of nutrition education.

 Joanne E. Pihlaja, MSU Extension – Health and Nutrition Institute. Joanne joined MSU Extension in July 1989, working in Gogebic and Iron counties as an Extension home economist. Most recently, she has been working with the Health and Nutrition Institute, as a regional Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – Education (SNAP-Ed) coordinator. Joanne maintained excellent working relationships with state partners and colleagues throughout her career with Extension. Because of those relationships, she was able to obtain funding needed for Extension programs, even during difficult economic times. She demonstrated increased efficiency, through training and education, implementing various learning materials for instructors.

 George W. (“Bill”) Robb, MSU Extension – Agriculture and Agribusiness. Bill Robb joined MSU Extension in 1976 as an Extension dairy agent in St. Clair and Macomb counties. After serving the dairy industry in eastern Michigan for four years, Bill served as Mason County Extension director and then Allegan County Extension director. Appointed district dairy agent in 1995, he assisted farmers in six southwestern Michigan counties. In 2005, he held the regional dairy Extension educator position serving the West Central Region. He was interim county Extension director in Ottawa County in 2008, and he continued to serve the dairy industry as a regional educator until his retirement in 2010. He was active in the Michigan Extension Agricultural Educators Association, serving the association as an officer and playing a key role in the association’s successful hosting of the national convention. He received both the Achievement Award and Distinguished Service award from the National Association of Agricultural Agents. He also served as president of the Michigan Council of Extension Associations. Bill was part of the first group of Extension educators to earn promotion to Senior Educator status, a designation initiated in 2008 that is reserved for Extension employees who have distinguished themselves from their peers in their educational programming and contribution to the organization.

 Linda M. Rossberg, MSU Extension – Upper Peninsula Region. Linda joined MSU Extension in 1978 as a 4-H program assistant. In May 1980, she became a three-county Extension home economist and in 1989 became the Marquette County Extension director. Linda received a national award for financial management from the National Association of Extension Home Economists. She provided the leadership to develop a mediation center serving Marquette and Alger counties. She trained volunteer mediators as well as served as a volunteer mediator in the alternative dispute resolution method. She served as the mediation center director until 2001 and still serves on the Board of Directors. Her skills as a mediator led to numerous requests from agencies to conduct conflict resolution workshops for their staff members and boards of directors.

 Beverly J. Terry, MSU Extension – Southeast Region. In 1989, Beverly joined MSU Extension as a 4-H youth agent in Presque Isle County. She later served as an Extension community partnership coordinator, Livingston County Extension director, Oakland County Extension director and associate regional director in the Southeast Region. Beverly provided educational trainings and wrote newsletters, which focused on a variety of topics, such as substance abuse prevention, family nutrition and development of team-building skills. She built enduring partnerships with local county boards and administrators. Her outstanding relationship building resulted in additional funding for Extension programs. As an advocate for MSU and Extension, she challenged colleagues to broaden audiences and expand their effectiveness.

 Lois M. Thieleke, MSU Extension – Health and Nutrition Institute. In 1982, Lois joined MSU Extension as a home economist in Oakland County. She later served as an Extension associate program leader, acting Oakland County Extension director and acting St. Clair County Extension director. She provided educational training, and wrote and distributed wellness newsletters. Lois excelled in building effective teams with external organizations, colleagues, or those whom she supervised. She also was adept at building the capacity of team members. Highly respected in the Oakland County community, Lois is an excellent communicator, mentor and professional, and a tremendous advocate for the university and Extension. When I attended her retirement celebration in Oakland County last year, I was overwhelmed by the respect, admiration and dedication of staff members who had benefited from Lois’ supervision.

 Carol L. Townsend, MSU Extension – Greening Michigan Institute. After working for the MSU Center for Urban Affairs, Carol joined Extension in 1998. She served as an urban community development educator in Kent County, working closely with neighborhood organizations and the city of Grand Rapids in various community development educational programs. Carol worked with community leaders in establishing United Growth for Kent County, an initiative made possible with funding from the Frey Foundation designed to strengthen connections between Grand Rapids and surrounding rural governmental units. The initiative received national attention for its innovative approaches to bridging the urban-rural divide. She has mentored numerous MSU students in on-site job experiences through the MSU Urban Collaborators program. Carol has been dedicated to building the capacity of citizens and neighborhood associations and leveraging public dollars with private grants and sponsorships. She co-authored the “Building Great Neighborhoods” manual, which serves as a guide to urban neighborhoods statewide.

 Robert D. von Bernuth, School of Planning, Design and Construction (and College of Social Science). Dr. von Bernuth joined MSU as chair of the Agricultural Engineering Department, after seven years at the University of Tennessee. He led the transition of the department from agricultural engineering to biosystems and agricultural engineering. He helped establish the restoration ecology course in Fisheries and Wildlife and the comprehensive nutrient management course in Animal Science. He was a co-founder of the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) and was the first chair of the program. He later led the formation of the School of Planning, Design and Construction, and served as the founding director. He was deeply involved in the initiation of MSU Dubai, and as assistant dean in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, he led the college efforts there. He taught construction management courses in Dubai in 2009 and 2010. He has received the Distinguished Faculty Award in CANR and the Withrow Teaching Award in the College of Engineering. The Associated Schools of Construction named him Teacher of the Year. In retirement, Bob will continue to be involved in the Irrigation Association where he is an internationally known expert.

Mark R. Williams, MSU Extension – Southwest Region. Mark joined MSU Extension in 1975. Over the years, he has served in various Extension positions, including program associate, 4-H youth agent and Hillsdale County Extension director. His commitment to the Extension mission is evident through his roles in developing, planning and supporting 4-H programs. His work includes planning and developing various educational programs, coordinating and hosting training series, and presenting Extension programs to various community outlets. Mark was one of the organizing members for the Fisheries and Wildlife Area of Expertise team, and it was in that context that I first met him. He is a board member of the Michigan 4-H Foundation. He continues to engage in a weekly radio presentation and often submits newspaper articles pertaining to his work at Extension. Mark’s leadership continues to help people improve their lives in Hillsdale County, even in retirement.

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by | April 15, 2010 · 8:53 am

Spotlight on retirees

The following Michigan State University Extension (MSUE) retirees were honored with a reception hosted by the MSU Extension Director’s Office and Epsilon Sigma Phi (ESP) and a luncheon hosted by President Simon on Tuesday, April 13, at the Kellogg Center: Phil Alexander, Mona Ellard, Christine Gehring, Larry Hamm, Cyndi Mark, Connie (Theunick) Perley, Jim Wiesing and Paul Wylie. I’d like to share some of the biographic sketches of each individual with you here. I’ve enjoyed working with each person and regret the tremendous experience that we’re losing with their retirements. Even so, I wish each one a healthy and prosperous retirement from MSU.

 Philip (“Phil”) Alexander, Otsego County, began his Extension career in 1984. He has been a district tourism agent for 21 counties and the Otsego County Extension director. Phil wrote several Extension publications, was the longest serving member of the National Extension Tourism Committee, and pioneered a learning process that eventually became the Area of Expertise teams. Phil’s most recent accomplishment was compiling an historical account “Learning a Living: 90 Years of Extension Work in Otsego County.”

 Mona J. Ellard, Eaton County, received her B.S. from Western Michigan University and her M.A. in education from Michigan State University. She joined the Eaton County MSU Extension office as a home economist in 1982, becoming the county Extension director there in 1997, a position she held until retirement. As county Extension director, she used a positive managerial style, and during her tenure, she was able to increase funding and staff in the Eaton County Extension office through her networking and grant-writing skills. A member of Michigan County Extension Agents, Michigan Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences and Epsilon Sigma Phi, she has received numerous awards, including the National Distinguished Service Award, the Public Relations Award and the Epsilon Sigma Phi Visionary Leadership Award. Her achievements were also recognized locally with the Liberty Bell award from the Eaton County Bar Association and the Athena Award from the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce.

 Christine (“Chris”) Gehring, Benzie County, joined Extension in 1995 working in the Benzie County office with the Family Nutrition Program. In 1998, she became a Family and Consumer Sciences Extension educator and then served as interim Benzie County Extension director from 2002 to 2003. Beginning in 2004, Chris moved to the regional office in Traverse City as North Region Family Nutrition program coordinator until her retirement. Most of her work involved nutrition and parenting education programs.

 Larry G. Hamm, professor, Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics, actually retired from his Extension responsibilities several years ago and moved into a different role in his home department. Although he’s not been directly in the MSUE family for a few years, I wanted to recognize his earlier contributions to MSUE. Dr. Hamm served as an Extension specialist in Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics (AFRE). He was an outstanding Extension professional who channeled his expertise in industry organizations to the dairy and food processing industries and continued to provide that service while he served as department chairperson from 1992–2002. He also provided valuable leadership to the overall Extension mission for his department in his capacity as department chair. Since stepping down as chair in 2002, he took on the primary leadership role for the Food Industry Management major in AFRE and reinvented himself to become one of the department’s best undergraduate teachers. He broke new ground by incorporating information technology and social networking into his instructional scholarship, reflecting well on his years as an innovative Extension professional.

 Cynthia (“Cyndi”) B. Mark, Children, Youth, Families and Communities (CYFC), received her B.S. degree from Eastern Michigan University and her M.S. and Ph.D. from Michigan State University. She joined MSU Extension in 1980 as a 4-H youth agent in Ingham County and the State 4-H Office in 1984. Holding increasingly responsible positions within Michigan 4-H Youth Programs and MSU Extension, including interim state leader for 4-H Youth Development from 1998 to June 1999, her most recent position was as CYFC coordinating program leader for leadership, citizenship and service. She received numerous awards including the 2009 MSU Extension Specialist and State Staff Award and the 2010 MSU Distinguished Academic Staff Award, and also awards from the National Association of Extension 4-H Youth Agents and the Michigan Association of Extension 4-H Youth Staff.

 After graduating from Michigan State University with an English degree in 1974, Connie (Theunick) Perley, Lake County, began her MSU Extension career as a 4-H program assistant in Osceola County. Demonstrating her strong youth development skills, Connie moved into an area 4-H agent role in 1982, serving Osceola, Misssaukee, Wexford and Mecosta counties. Connie also served as an area 4-H agent for Osceola, Lake, Mecosta and Clare counties, while concurrently serving as acting county Extension director in both Gladwin and Lake counties. In 1990 Connie was appointed the Eaton County 4-H agent, and served in that position for two years before becoming the Lake County Extension director, a position she held for 17 years until retiring. There, she initiated a number of community and economic development initiatives, including establishment of the Lake County Enterprise Community.

 James (“Jim”) Wiesing, Grand Traverse County, graduated from the University of Missouri with a B.S. in business administration and holds an M.S. in Extension education from Michigan State University. In 1983 he was appointed deputy county executive for Bay County, a position he held until he joined MSU Extension in 1989. Jim has been Grand Traverse County Extension director since 1992. He also served as statewide co-chair of the MSU Community Development Team and is past president of the MSUE Community and Natural Resource Development Association. He was the principal investigator and program leader for grants that created the Citizen Planner and Building Strong Sovereign Nations programs for MSUE and is a member of the MSU Land Use, Economic Development, and Leadership teams. Prior to his appointment in Grand Traverse County, he was the district Extension agent for local government assistance in northern Michigan and the Ogemaw County Economic development agent. Jim has served on the Executive Board of the Rural Development Council of Michigan; USDA Extension National Management Team, Communities in Economic Transition; Grand Traverse Bay Watershed Initiative; New Designs for Growth; Affordable Housing Task Force, Northwest Michigan Poverty Reduction Initiative and recently addressed state and national conferences for Michigan Association of Counties, National Association of Counties, Michigan Association of Planning and USDA. He has received numerous awards including two Epsilon Sigma Phi Diversity Awards, the ESP State Team Award, the Raymond D. Vlasin Award for Program Excellence and the Innovative Program Award for Building Strong Sovereign Nations.

 Paul Wylie, Allegan County, received his B.S. in agriculture from Lincoln University and his M.S. in poultry science from the University of Missouri. He has worked in agriculture for 38 years. Paul came to the Allegan County MSU Extension office as an agricultural agent in 1987 and became the county Extension director there in 2008, a position he held until retirement. Recognized as an excellent educator, both in the classroom and in the field, Paul has specialized in commercial and small flock poultry, field crops, environmental management and pesticide applicator training. He has written numerous newsletter articles, tip sheets and a bulletin on building good neighbor relations for animal farmers. Paul’s ability to quickly assess technical information and relate it to clientele needs built strong relationships with farmers, agencies and agribusinesses. He is a member and past treasurer of the Michigan Association of Extension Agents, a member and past chair of the MSU Poultry Team, a member of the MSU Field Crops Team, the MSU Christmas Tree Team and the MSU Animal Agriculture and Environment Team. In 2005 he received the Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of County Agriculture Agents.

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