Evans hired as 4-H educator in Huron County

Evans, 2020

Join us in congratulating alum Haley Evans ‘20, who was recently hired as a 4-H Youth Development educator for The Ohio State University Extension Huron County.
 
Evans completed a bachelor of science in agriscience education in May 2020. During her time as an undergraduate Buckeye, she completed internships with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources , Franklin County Metro Parks and 12 weeks of student teaching at Firelands High School.
 
Congratulations Haley!

Alumni and graduate students earn NAE4-HYDP Awards

Congratulations to the following ACEL alumni and current graduate students who received awards from the National Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals (NAE4-HYDP) at their annual conference held earlier this fall.

Achievement in Service Award
Allison Cooper ‘11, ‘14 MS

Distinguished Service Award
Jamie McConnell ‘12 MS
Amanda Raines ‘17 MS
Katherine Wells, PhD student

Meritorious Service Award
Larry Hall ‘00 MS

25 Years of Service
Rebecca Barker ‘92, ‘01 MS

North Central Regional Excellence in Healthy Living
Programming Award
Amanda Raines ‘17 MS, Justin Bower ‘17, Heather Gottke ‘09, ‘13 MS

North Central Regional Team Promotional Package
Amanda Raines ‘17 MS, Jamie McConnell ‘12 MS, Jessica Rockey ‘02 MS, Beth Boomershine ‘00, ‘01 MS, Margo Long ‘11, PhD student, Cassie Anderson ‘02 MS, and Hannah Epley ‘14 PhD

Ohio 4-H Week Alumni Spotlight: Sara Deakin

Sara Deakin is a third-year student studying community leadership with a specialization in community and extension education. She is from Columbus, Ohio – Franklin County, where she was an active member of the K-9 Wonderdogs and Fantastic Futures 4-H Club for 7 years.

During your time in 4-H, what projects did you complete?

Dog project, veterinary science, shooting sports, market hogs, market goat, market rabbit, and beef feeder. I learned how to take care of many different animals along with public speaking skills, and leadership skills.

Why did you turn Green & White into Scarlet & Gray?

4-H is the reason I am studying extension education and I hope to one day be an Ohio 4-H extension educator.

Ohio 4-H Week Alumni Spotlight: Jasmine Mabry

Jasmine Mabry is a second-year agriscience education student from Camden, Ohio – Preble County, where she was an active member of the Just Horsin’ Around 4-H Club for 10 years. 

During your time in 4-H, what projects did you complete?

I completed several different projects and learned many valuable life skills. Through my horse project, I learned the value of patience, determination, and independence. Through my goat project – the importance of hard work and persistence. With my various miscellaneous projects, I learned many new skills that are applicable to adulthood.

Why did you turn Green & White into Scarlet & Gray?

4-H is what began my passion for agriculture. It is what fueled my love for serving others and inspired me to go the distance. I am pursuing a career as an educator because my 4-H advisors, senior fair board members, and extension educator all inspired me with their willingness to help students be successful in all aspects of life.

Ohio 4-H Week Alumni Spotlight: DaVonti’ Haynes

DaVonti’ Haynes is a Ph.D. student studying agricultural communication, education, and leadership with a focus in community and extension education. 

He is from Cleveland, Ohio – Cuyahoga County, where he was an active member of the Youth Advisory Committee of Cuyahoga County.

During your time in 4-H, what projects did you complete?

All of our projects were related to leadership and service; such as the Cuyahoga County Annual Youth Summit. My involvement with 4-H was really the prelude to me discovering my passion of advocating for, empowering, and uplifting others and communities. 

What did you learn through your involvement in 4-H?

4-H helped prepare me for my academic and professional career in ways that I could not have expected. It instilled in me a love for giving back and servant leadership and helped equip me for success after high school by providing me with the necessary supports, environment, and network of friends, educators, and mentors to grow. 4-H introduced me to life-long leadership skills such as resilience, facilitation, communication, and advocacy, among many others. The experiences, skills, and knowledge that I gained during my time in Cuyahoga County 4-H have (and will continue to) directly contribute to my personal, professional, and academic growth and success.

Ohio 4-H Week Alumni Spotlight: Emma Newell

 

Emma Newell is a fourth-year studying agricultural communication at Ohio State. She is from Pickerington, OhioFairfield County, where she was an active member of the Unleashed 4-H Club for 11 years and has served as an advisor for 3 years. 

During your time in 4-H, what projects did you complete?

Dogs, Alpacas, Pigs, Chickens, various Leadership projects, numerous Community Service projects, PetPALS (certified therapy animals visiting those in need). I also served on the following leadership boards: Ohio 4-H Teen Leadership Council, Ohio 4-H Foundation Board, National 4-H Young Alumni Advisory Committee, Fairfield County Junior Leaders, Fairfield County Junior Fair Board, National 4-H Conference (Roundtable Facilitator)  

Why did you turn Green & White into Scarlet & Gray?

I always knew I would one day turn from a clover into a Buckeye. The active participation of the college within the youth development program solidified my desire to attend The Ohio State University at a very young age. I grew up admiring the professors and learning from them at workshops and sessions. There is always more to learn and people within this network who are willing to share their knowledge.

Ohio 4-H Week Alumni Spotlight: Lindsey Okuley

Lindsey Okuley is a first-year studying agricultural communication at Ohio State. She is from Wapakoneta, Ohio – Auglaize County, where she was an active member of the Fryburg Happy Farmers 4-H Club for 7 years. 

During your time in 4-H, what projects did you complete?

I completed various poultry projects and was also a member of the junior fair board. 

What did you learn through your involvement in 4-H?

I learned the value of responsibility, how to lose, and how to effectively work to solve issues as a team member and leader.

Why did you turn Green & White into Scarlet & Gray?

4-H helped flame the fire of the love I had for agriculture. It helped guide me to Ohio State and CFAES due to connections I made through my show days and experiences unique to 4-H through OSU.

Intern Spotlight: Oglesby interns with OSU Extension, Highland County

Meredith Oglesby
junior
agricultural communication

During the summer of 2018 I had the opportunity to intern with The Ohio State University Extension in Highland County. I worked closely with our county extension agent to prepare for 4-H camps, summer judging and the Highland County Fair.

I worked a large part to plan Clover Fun Day. The theme this year was “Down on the Farm with 4-H.” I worked to create name tags, design t-shirts, and ensure we had all the supplies needed for the activities and meals. I also worked with the Highland County Junior Leaders who are the members who are in charge of the event. It was fun to design and create all the materials needed for the day.

Summer judging takes place in July which is where the cooking, sewing, and several other special interest projects are judged. I helped to write the press releases for the awards ceremony, crafted the packets for the first-place winners, worked closely to ensure all the scoresheets and folders had the scoresheets and questions for each project. I helped to create the state fair packets for the members who qualified for state fair. I loved learning about projects I had no idea existed and working on my communication and writing skills.

While in the office I interacted with those who came into the office for different needs. I answered the phones, learned how to balance and work with money for different items sold, and filed papers. I also designed and wrote the monthly newsletter entitled “Highland Happenings.” I learned more about working with branding guidelines.

During the final weeks of my internship I worked to prepare materials for the Highland County Fair which is the week of Labor Day. I copied and prepared scoresheets and questions for the judges. I also worked to create a schedule for special interest judging at the fair.

Interning with extension was a fun experience to learn to design and create different marketing materials and work to gain skills in the communication field.

 

Meredith (far right) with 4-H participants.

Alumni Spotlight: Dr. Cheryl Ruey-Fen Bain ’00 PhD

Dr. Cheryl Ruey-Fen Bain graduated with a doctorate in agricultural education in 2000. Originally from Taiwan, Bain spent five years at Ohio State and then returned to her native country. She currently works as an associate professor in the Department of Leisure and Recreation Management and General Education at De-Yeah University.

[ACEL]: Hello Dr. Bain! Why did you select your graduate program and to attend Ohio State?
[Bain]: I graduated from National Taiwan University in 1990. I was working as a teaching assistant and met the ACEL graduate chair, Dr. Larry Miller, when he visited National Taiwan University during spring semester in 1994.  Dr. Miller recruited me to apply OSU.

I was also very lucky to have Rotary International 3-year Ambassador scholarship supported by D3460 (Taichung Taiwan) and hosted by D6690 (Columbus, Ohio).  

I knew many former Ohio State alumni, such as Dr. Liao Cheng-hong, Dr. Shaio, Kuen-shan, and Dr. Shin-Shin Chen, who recommend me the outstanding program of agricultural education. In addition, Ohio State was land-grand university with strong top 4-H program which attracted me when I worked for National 4-H Club Association of R.O.C.  The most important thing was Dr. John Mount, one of rotarians who was vice president at Ohio State, volunteer to be my consultant for 3-year ambassador scholarship.

How did your education at Ohio State influence your choice of career or your career path?
I took courses and participatde in 4-H Extension program to explore and empower my knowledge and capability under Dr. Larry Miller, Dr. Wesley Budke, Dr. Cathy Cox, and my mentor and Rotary International scholarship consultant, Dr. John Mount. Now, I am a Rotarian in D3462 since 2003, and advisor of 4-H Club at Da-Yeh University. 

What were you involved in as an Ohio State student?
I worked as a research assistant for Dr. Larry Brown on his water management project, then I also worked at CCME for more then two years before I attained my Ph.D.

What classes did you enjoy the most while at Ohio State? What was your favorite and why?
The 995 statistics instructed by Dr. R. Warmboard who guided with practical exercises. I took 995 course syllabus to start my first very graduate course in Da-Yeh University as a popular course in 2000.

What professor, faculty or staff member had an impact on your education and career?
There were so many great teachers, and staff who assisted my learning at OSU, if only one that I have to choose, I have to pick up Dr. John Mount who became my life mentor and role model.

What is your favorite memory related to your time at Ohio State?
The summer 4-H leadership camp as counselor as well as 4-H dormitory supervisor under the instruction of Dr. John Mount and Dr. Cathy Cox at Camp Ohio and the Ohio State Fair. I was the first Asian student to work at camp and state fair to learn by doing with great pleasure.

What was your first job following your education at Ohio State?
After I attained my Ph.D., I return to my home country, Taiwan, to be an assistant professor at the very first department of Leisure and Recreation management at Da-Yeh University in Taiwan. I brought my camping experience to teach and worked for international exchange program in many programs such as 4-H Exchange, Rotary Youth Exchange, and Group Study Exchange with more than 10 countries.

Share the positions you have held throughout your career.
I have been worked for National Taiwan University and Da-Yeh University in my academic career taking more than dozen of research projects on education, tourism, and recreation.

I also volunteer for many international exchange program, such as Rotary International in Youth Exchange, and Group Study Exchange.

During your career, have you received any awards or honors?
I have received as outstanding teaching faculty at Da-Yeh University for more than 5 times since 2009.

As a delegate of Group Study Exchange Program to D1570 in the Netherland in 2003 and became the first female leader of Rotary International Group Study Exchange program with D7190 in 2009.

How are you involved in your community outside of your career?
I helps college students to apply to oversea study programs and there are more than 60 students that have visited South Korea and the United States.

I volunteer for many international exchange program, such as Rotary International in Youth Exchange and Group Study Exchange.

As of today, what is your favorite career highlight?
The international exchange program that I achieved as the first female Rotary International Group Study Exchange leader in Taiwan.

There are more than 60 colleges under my instruction to take camp internships in the United States.

What advice would you give to a current student?
Just do it, God will reward us with His best!

What did ACEL cultivate in you?
ACEL empowered and enriched my informal education experience such as 4-H leadership camp, state fair working experience.  I have been very lucky to enroll OSU to change my life, I cherish and pride to be part of members of ACEL family.

 

 

Alumni Spotlight: Allen Auck ’83, ’99 MS

Allen Auck completed a bachelor of science in agricultural education in 1983 and a master of sicence in 1999. Auck currently works for Ohio 4-H Youth Development as a program manager for events and activities.
[ACEL]: Hi Allen! Why did you select a major in agricultural education?
[Auck]: I chose agricultural education because I had an interest in teaching.
Why did you choose to attend The Ohio State University?
Ohio State was one of only two colleges that offered the agricultural education major.
What were you involved in as an Ohio State student:
I was involved in Collegiate 4-H, Agricultural Education Society and I worked basketball inter-murals as an official.
What was your first job following your education at Ohio State?
My first job following my education at Ohio State was a vocational agriculture instructor.
Throughout your career, where have you worked?
Bluffton Exempt Village Schools, Erie County 4-H Camps and The Ohio State University.
During your career, have you received any awards or honors? If so, what are those?
Distinguished Service Award, 4-H,
Meritorious Service Award, 4-H, 25 year award.