The West Virginia University Extension Service (WVU-ES) will honor two individuals and two groups that have contributed their time, talents and monetary resources to enhance the organization’s educational and outreach programs at its annual Partner Appreciation Banquet Friday, Oct. 25, at WVU Jackson’s MillCenter for Lifelong Learning near Weston.
The individuals being honored are Douglas Hovatter of Martinsburg, WVU Extension agent in BerkeleyCounty, and James H.”Buck”Harless of Gilbert, chairman of the board of International Industries Inc. The groups that will be recognized are the West Virginia 4-H Funds Advisory Committee and the OhioCounty 4-H Foundation.
Hovatter is receiving the”Outstanding Resource Development”award. He has led statewide initiatives designed to teach entrepreneurial skills to elementary and middle school children. He coordinates the Mini-Society within West Virginia’s 4-H program. The Mini-Society is an educational curriculum designed by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, which teaches children how the United States economic system works. The Extension educator has also written several publicly and privately funded grants that have attracted more than $500,000 for children’s entrepreneurial educational programs.
Harless is being honored as an”Outstanding Philanthropist.”He has contributed generous financial support to WVU Extension Service’s effort toward renovation of the cottages at WVU Jackson’s MillCenter for Lifelong Learning and State 4-H Camp. Harless has also built a long-standing financial and service relationship with West VirginiaUniversity and its various colleges, schools and departments. He has served as chairman of the WVU Foundation Board of Directors and as a member of the former WVU System Board of Trustees.
The West Virginia 4-H Funds Advisory Committee is receiving Extension’s”Outstanding Partner”award. The committeeby providing financial assistance and volunteerssupports the needs of the state’s 4-H program and the WVU -ESCenter for 4-H and Youth, Family and Adult Development. The committee established an endowment through the WVU Foundation, which financially supports the publication of 4-H curriculum and project materials. Last year, using the WVU Foundation’s Mountaineer Line, the advisory committee helped organize a 4-H Alumni Phonathon, which garnered more than $28,000 in pledges. Committee chairperson Nancy K. Weeks of Wheeling and chair-elect Rodney Frye of Charleston will accept the award for the group.
The OhioCounty 4-H Foundation is being honored as the”Outstanding Organization.”It established a $20,000 endowment two years ago through the WVU Foundation, titled the OhioCounty 4-H Fund, which is used to support and advance the work of the OhioCounty 4-H program. It is the largest endowment started by a county 4-H foundation. Chairman Tom Gaudino and former chairman William Childers will accept the award on behalf of the group.
The evening’s program includes opening remarks and award presentations by Dr. Lawrence S. Cote, associate provost and director of the WVU Extension Service. Marilyn Dague, chief of the West Virginia 4-H All Stars, will serve as emcee. Music will be performed by the WVU Collegiate 4-H’ers and pianist Randell Schoonover.