Volume 21, Number 11 – May 30, 2006
Clinical-track Agents Have Opportunity to
Become Tenure-track
Six to Be Enshrined into
Agriculture and Forestry Hall of Fame
Volunteers Needed for State Fair, Association Days
People and Places
County WVU Extension agents holding clinical-track appointments are eligible to switch to the tenure track on July 1. This one-time opportunity will not be offered again, according to Provost Gerald Lang and Associate Provost Larry Cote.
Those making the switch will be subject to all University policies relating to tenure-track positions, including designating a critical year for seeking tenure.
For agents with fewer than six years of service, their years in clinical track will count toward tenure and promotion. Their critical year will be calculated from their hire date. For agents with six or more years as clinical faculty, their critical year will be 2006-07.
Consistent with WVU Extension’s emphasis on increasing support for "field faculty," this opportunity is limited to agents. A similar plan for specialists is under consideration.
There will be no change in salary for agents switching to the tenure track. Fifteen agents are eligible to make the switch, but no one is required to do so. Each faculty eligible for this switch will soon receive a letter from Dr. Cote outlining the options.
Those with questions may contact Larry Cote or Paul Becker.
Six individuals will be enshrined into the West Virginia Agriculture and Forestry Hall of Fame in recognition of their outstanding contributions to agriculture and forestry in the state. The late Geraldine C. Belmear, WVU Extension agent and specialist, is among them.
Others who will be enshrined are Neil Aberegg of Hundred, Paul E. Lewis of Morgantown, the late Armand Ricottilli, Robert D. Whipkey of Charleston, and Robert L. Williams of Bridgeport.
The Hall of Fame’s annual banquet will be held Saturday, July 8, at
WVU Jackson’s Mill near Weston. The event begins with a reception at
5 p.m. in the Agriculture and Forestry Hall of Fame Building, followed by the
banquet at 6 p.m. in the Mount Vernon Dining Hall. The event is open to the
public.
Tickets are $30 and must be purchased by June 23. Among those taking reservations
are Brenda Aldridge (304-293-5691) and Denise Hunnell (304-293-2395).
The West Virginia Agriculture and Forestry Hall of Fame honors individuals, businesses, organizations, institutions, and foundations that have made outstanding contributions to the establishment, advancement, and improvement of agriculture, forestry, and family life in West Virginia.
During her 29-year Extension career at West Virginia State College and WVU, Geraldine Belmear was devoted to improving the lives of rural West Virginians. In 1961, she worked with 4-H clubs, homemakers clubs, and other programs for African Americans in five counties. In 1966, she became Extension home demonstration agent in Marion County. Geraldine later worked with 4-H and nutrition programs on the state level. After retiring from Extension, she served WVU as black student adviser and assistant dean of student life for minority affairs.
Neil Aberegg is a leading practitioner of timber-stand management, cultivating
harvests based on current silvicultural practices, dedication, and a basic
conservation mindset.
Paul Lewis is the director of the Division of Animal and Veterinary Sciences
in WVU’s Davis College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Consumer Sciences.
He works with students, producers, and leaders in the agricultural industry.
Armand Ricottilli, who lived in Barbour County, was the first tree farmer in West Virginia to be recognized with the Outstanding Tree Farmer award from the American Tree Farm Program.
Robert D. Whipkey served as a county service forester in Braxton and Clay counties, assistant district forester, and assistant state forester with the West Virginia Division of Forestry.
Robert Williams, former WVU Extension agent in Wetzel County, was with the West Virginia Department of Agriculture for 23 years, ultimately serving as director of marketing. Bob is now executive secretary of the West Virginia Farm Bureau.
Volunteers needed! So, you say, what’s new about that in Extension? What’s new is that this time, Extension needs Extension folks to volunteer. Two opportunities are available—the State Fair of West Virginia and Extension Association Days.
The fair is set for Aug. 11 to 20 in Fairlea. Volunteers are needed to help plan WVU Extension’s presence at the event and to represent the organization in the WVU Mountaineer Country tent during the fair.
Extension Association Days will be held Nov. 8 and 9 at WVU Jackson’s Mill, near Weston. Volunteers will work with presidents of the Extension associations and others to plan the program.
To volunteer or to find out more about either opportunity, contact Ann Berry
(304-293-4221, ext. 3416; Ann.Berry@mail.wvu.edu).
… Faculty and Staff Changes
William Beckley will join WVU Extension once again on June 16 to serve as an Extension 4-H youth development camping specialist. He will be based at WVU Jackson’s Mill, near Weston. Bill received a bachelor’s degree in rural sociology and a master’s degree in extension education from Ohio State University (OSU). Since 1989, Bill has worked as the county Extension director and Extension educator for 4-H Youth Development in Vinton County, Ohio. During his 17 years with OSU Extension, Bill increased the county’s 4-H participation by 67 percent and 4-H camping participation by 400 percent. Before working in Ohio, Bill spent four years as WVU Extension agent in Pocahontas County and one year as Extension agent in Clay County. As a specialist, he will be coordinating West Virginia’s 4-H camping program and providing leadership to the state camping program development team.
On May 16, Dana Cook began serving as Extension agent in McDowell and Wyoming counties, where she is responsible for family programming. As assistant director of McDowell Rural Health Advisory Council, Dana spent the last few years educating residents about the importance of preventing chronic disease. In cooperation with Marshall University, Dana obtained her master’s degree in 2005 from WVU in public administration with an emphasis on health care administration. She earned a bachelor’s degree in health care administration from Marshall. She also has three associate degrees from Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College. As acting president of McDowell County’s Tobacco Prevention Coalition, Dana pursues one of her passions—educating people about tobacco-related health problems. She is also a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives, West Virginia Health Education Council, Creating Opportunities for Youth, and WVU Prevention Research Center’s Community Advisory Board.
Chadwick Higgins will become a member of the WVU Extension Service June 1. As Extension specialist in 4-H youth development curriculum, Chad will provide leadership for the 4-H project system, including reviewing and selecting projects, training volunteers and faculty, and evaluating outcomes. Chad received his doctorate from the School of Human Resource Education and Workforce Development at Louisiana State University in 2001, a master’s degree in secondary social studies education from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, and a bachelor’s degree in history from Lyon College, Batesville, Ark. Chad has taught on the secondary, undergraduate, and graduate levels. Chad was voted teacher of the year and most likable teacher at St. Joseph Junior High in Pine Bluff, Ark. As an assistant professor with the Louisiana State University AgCenter for Research and Extension, Chad worked as a curriculum management and program evaluation specialist. Before that, Chad was an educational program coordinator for the Louisiana Department of Education in the Division of School Improvement, Accountability, and Assistance.
Charlie Rickman will retire from her nearly 29-year WVU Extension career on June 30. Most recently, she has served as an agent in Cabell and Wayne counties, working with such programs as Family Nutrition, CEOS, Dining with Diabetes, and Active for Life. Charlie’s main retirement plan is to “spend more time with family and friends,” including her husband, Jack, a retired cabinet maker. She has three children, three step-children, and seven grandchildren. But that doesn’t mean the Extension associate professor won’t miss her job. “I appreciate having had the opportunity to have a career with Extension...and associate with colleagues who are top-notch professionals,” she said. During her tenure with Extension, she has earned more than 14 individual and team recognition awards and served in various capacities with the West Virginia Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, the American and West Virginia Associations of Family and Consumer Sciences, and Epsilon Sigma Phi. She is a licensed dietitian and certified instructor for the Apprenticeship for Child Development Specialist program. Charlie holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in home economics from Marshall University. She was a substitute teacher and a stay-at-home mom before she joined Extension in 1977 as a nutrition aide in Wayne County. Three years later, Charlie became the Wayne County home economics agent. She transferred to Cabell County in 1990. Charlie, who likes to work in her yard and flower garden, plans to take some time “to stop and smell the roses.” She’s also looking forward to remodeling her home, reading, enjoying nature, and stepping up her participation in church activities. Today (May 30) is her last day in the office.
… Have You Heard?
Norm Schwertfeger is working collaboratively with the Valley Ventures Committee. The committee is a regional collaboration among Brooke, Hancock, Ohio, and Jefferson (Ohio) counties. The committee will provide support services and referrals to start-up entrepreneurs.
Sarah Selmer and Ben Spong welcomed the second daughter to their family May 23. Qwinn Lee Meadows Spong weighed 7 pounds, 3 ounces. Her parents and her big sister, Scout, are very proud.
Brandon Takacs will present a research paper accepted at the Outreach Scholarship 2006 Conference: Engagement Through the Disciplines. In October, Brandon will present a 30-minute session on “Occupational Fall Prevention Through Organizational Intervention.” Fewer than half of the proposals were selected for presentation. Brandon is also co-principal investigator on a substantial grant to study hearing protection for miners. About 90 percent of coal miners will have a hearing impairment by age 52, compared with 9 percent of the general population.
… In the News
Alison Hanham’s presentation on the findings of
the 2005 East Wheeling First Impressions study drew a large crowd of about
75 in Wheeling earlier this month. Among them were representatives of the local
TV station and newspapers. An article in the Intelligencer and Wheeling
News Register noted that the First Impressions study found that “East
Wheeling does not feel like a neighborhood because it lacks the focal points
and natural gathering spots that draw a community together.” Staff writer
Gabe Wells quoted Alison as saying that the area has tremendous potential. “There
are a lot of assets—historic and tourism. There is a lot to be done,
and the community is receptive and moving forward,” she said. Robert
Herron, city manager, was pleased with the presentation. “The positive
comments are the things people need to be reminded of,” he said. “We
are aware of the negative things, and the community as a whole is working on
it.” The article mentioned that the study was conducted by WVU Extension
Service and sponsored by Hopeful Housing Inc.
A recent article in the Register Herald, Beckley’s newspaper,
featured WVU Extension, describing what the organization does for West Virginia
and its people. Reporter Bev Davis interviewed agents David Richmond and Brian
Sparks. David was quoted as saying, “No two days are ever the
same—for me or any other Extension agent. Our jobs take us where people
need advice or help on any given day. We’re basically problem-solvers.” In
the story, Brian described the functions of Extension in further detail, “There
are three key components in Extension—teaching, service and research.” He
said, “I work with agriculture and environmental education. We work with
producers to optimize marketing of livestock and with tailgate markets to provide
an outlet to sell farm-fresh produce. We also provide education opportunities
for them to get continuing education.” A brief history of Extension and
its current programs were included in the article. Also mentioned was Governor
Manchin’s declaration of Monday, May 15, as “West Virginia University
Extension Service Day” in West Virginia.
… In Memoriam
Martena Patterson Kessel, former Extension agent in Jackson
County, died in Ripley on May 23, her 89th birthday. A memorial service was
held May 27 at the Epworth United Methodist Church in Ripley. The Brooke County
native was a graduate of West Liberty State College. As an agent, she worked
with Jackson County 4-H members for nine years. Martena retired as a school
teacher in Jackson County. She was a life member of the West Virginia
4-H All Stars and a charter member of the Jackson County 4-H Foundation. Survivors
include her husband of 51 years, Charles E. Kessel, a daughter, a son, eight
grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. Condolences may be sent
to the family at 111 Highlawn Drive, Ripley, WV 25271.
Marian Montgomery, 98, mother-in-law of Florita Montgomery,
died May 24 at her home in Indiana, Pa. Her funeral service was held today
(May 30) at the Grove Chapel Lutheran Church in Marion Center, Pa. She was
a retired English teacher. Her son, Jim, has worked on many Extension
photography assignments during his 35-year WVU career. Condolences
may be sent to Jim and Florita at 1227 Kings Road, Morgantown WV 26508.
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Our Continuing Mission . . .
The mission of the West Virginia University Extension Service is to form learning partnerships with the people of West Virginia to enable them to improve their lives and communities. To these partnerships, we bring useful research- and experience-based knowledge that facilitates critical thinking and skill development.
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Submitted by Joyce Bower.
