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Published on 06/29/04

Georgia 4-H to give Rodgers top honor

By Janet Rodekohr
University of Georgia

Tom Rodgers, who led the Georgia 4-H program from 1978 to 1993, will be honored with the 4-H Lifetime Achievement Award during the Centennial Gala in Atlanta Aug. 14.

Considered the highest honor in Georgia 4-H, the award recognizes a person who has had an impact on the state's 4-H youth development program.

"That's an understatement," says Bo Ryles, the current head of the 4-H program at the University of Georgia.

Many accomplishments

"Under his 17-year leadership and directly resulting from his hard work and dedication, the Rock Eagle 4-H Center was completely renovated, the largest environmental education program in existence was begun, the 4-H Foundation grew exponentially in partnerships, and staff development was refined for county and state personnel," Ryles said.

"Dr. Rodgers is one of the most active and talented public servants in the state of Georgia," he said. "Each phase of his career is defined by how he empowered others and looked for ways to improve the quality of people's lives."

Rodgers will retire this year from his position as associate dean for outreach and extension in the UGA College of Family and Consumer Sciences, where he has served since 2001. From 1994 to 2001, he was associate vice president for public service and outreach at UGA. He was the head of county operations for the Cooperative Extension Service from 1993 to 1996.

Dedicated service

Rodgers is also a founding board member of the Athens Volunteer Action Center, the development chair and board member of Athens Area Habitat for Humanity, a former Little League coach and a member of the Athens Clarke Affordable Housing Roundtable.

"Dr. Rodgers has not missed a week finding some way to continue to help 4-H," Ryles said. "He continues to give time and resources and is always -- I mean always -- ready to help. The Lifetime Achievement committee had one unanimous choice, and I'm so pleased 4-H can thank him in this way."

His many colleagues, former 4-H'ers and friends are invited to attend the Centennial Gala to thank Rodgers for his contributions to Georgia 4-H. For ticket information and other details, go to www.georgia4hfoundation.org or call (706) 542-8914.

(Janet Rodekohr is a news editor with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.)

Janet Rodekohr is a retired news editor with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

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