Texas 4-H Research, Evaluation Focus Team Wins Award

Contact: Edith Chenault, (979) 845-2886, e-chenault1@tamu.edu

COLLEGE STATION — Christopher T. Boleman of College Station, Dr. Martha E. Couch of College Station, Dr. Scott R. Cummings of College Station, Dr. Jeff W. Howard of Bryan and Lance Kieth of Lubbock have received a team Superior Service Award from Texas Cooperative Extension.

Boleman, a graduate assistant, Couch, a professor and assistant director for 4-H and youth, Cummings, an assistant professor and Extension program accountability specialist, Howard, an assistant professor and Extension 4-H and youth development specialist, and Kieth, an assistant professor, received the award Aug. 14 at the 2001 Extension Headquarters Faculty Conference at Texas A&M University.

The Superior Service Award is the highest honor given to faculty and staff by the educational agency, formerly called the Texas Agricultural Extension Service. Eighteen individuals and three teams were recognized for their outstanding accomplishments. Dr. Chester Fehlis, Extension deputy director, presented the awards.

Boleman, Couch, Cummings, Howard and Kieth received the award for innovative programming to interpret the positive benefits of Texas 4-H and provide avenues for county Extension agents to communicate the impact of grassroots 4-H programs.

In a cooperative effort between Extension and Texas Tech University, the team set out to develop an evaluation program to find out what impact grassroots 4-H was having on the youth of Texas. The results showed that 4-H programs have a positive impact on 90 percent of those polled. Of particular importance was the data showing that community club members in rural and urban settings demonstrate a similar level of life skill development through 4-H project participation.