Information About Retirees

Memories and Mentors, Part II
Ruth Henderson McQueen, President

During this year of the fiftieth anniversary of the UTIA Retirees Association, I have been conducting a survey with members. This question asked members to name the person that they learned the most from and what it was that he/she taught them. Thanks to all those who completed a survey and stay tuned for more articles in future newsletters.

• The co-worker I learned the most from was Hubert E. Lambert. He often stressed a positive attitude. I developed more confidence in my abilities and took my first college course. (Elma Buchanan Malone, Hancock County).
• The original members of the TNCEP Team—Berniece Atkinson, Betsy Pitcock, Sandra Shivers, and I. The first three taught me about courage and not being afraid to tackle something new. (Deborah Hutton Seward)
• Miss Vines the District “Super.” She taught me many things. (Anita Turner Fields)
• Jackie Donaldson. She hired me in 1989 for the EFNEP program and taught me leadership qualities through the Home Demonstration Club. (Drucilla Ray)
• Tom Miles, Tom Whatley, Ron Johnson and Ike Sewell. (Don Richardson)
• H.H. Huffines and also Linda Koger. Huff retired in Scott County and I had known him since I was a 4-H’er in Morgan County. He tied a leader string to my belt loop and told me to run. If I messed up he would pull me back. Linda taught me about Tennessee 4-H. (unsigned, but has to be Bob Melhorn!)
• Dr. Homer Swingle, head of the Fisheries Department at Auburn University. (Tom Hill)
• Roger Thackston. He taught me about taking care of my lawn and lots of ag-related things. My husband calls me an aggie. (Denise Brandon)
• H. B. Garrison. He taught me to feed people with good food, and that it is hard for people to turn you down for anything when their mouth is full of the food you prepared. We always fed out Ag. Com. country ham.
• (Robbie Melton)
• D. David Hileman, dean of the UT College of Communications. He was my professional mentor and a dear friend. He was responsible for me returning to UT for my master’s degree and subsequent hiring at UTIA—and a great career. (Wanda Russell)
• Dr. Pat Ganter Sobrero. Always strive for excellence. (Gail Disney Skidmore)
• Mrs. Geneva Martin, my junior high and high school English and literature teacher (for six years— it was a small school). She taught me “to never end a sentence with a preposition.” She is still living today and I think of her often and call or visit her yearly, even though she moved back to her family in Middle Tennessee. She taught me reading, writing, and speaking skills and without these, the others mean little. After all, what would an Extension agent be without these? (Jamie H. Jenkins)
• Alice Wilson. She taught me food preservation, refinishing furniture, and upholstery. (Sudie W. Alston)
• As a new agent in District IV I had great mentors: Jackie Donaldson, Berniece Atkinson, Carolyn Fox, Phyllis Boyce, and Margaret Pile. When we geared down to Cumberland District: Brenda Kucharski and John Jared. Then down to three into the Central Region. I loved to share and copy ideas with Pat Whitaker and Vicki Lofty. It was also a joy to work with Steve McNeil and Bob Ary in Sumner County. (Theresa Allan)
• Dr. Margaret Ussery. She taught me respect, empowered me to excel, and supported me enthusiastically even after I went to DC. Felix Knight encouraged me to take chances and to always believe in myself. Robert Waddell inspired me to be a 4-H agent. Cherry Lane Darken and Shirley Miller always supported me through thick and thin. (John Allen)
• Mary K. Lawler. I really admired her. She was my co-worker in 4-H. She taught me the value of a good Extension agent and a good person. (Mike Smith)
• Vallie Werner Braum. Val and I worked together as secretaries for the District Office in Jackson for twenty-five years. Our desks were in the same room and we were about two feet away from each other. When I first got to UT, Val took me under her wings and guided me along the way. As a result of her mentoring we became fast friends and are still friends to this day. I thank God for the friendship of Vallie and I will treasure her until my dying day. (Betty J. Lyons)

McQueen Named UTIA Meritorious Service Award Winner
John Jared, Past President

Ruth Henderson McQueen was recently named the 2019 UTIA Meritorious Service Award Winner. The honor annually goes to an individual who has been instrumental to the success of UTIA. The award publicly recognizes distinguished friends and supporters who have made significant contributions in the Institute’s quest for excellence. The award was presented at this year’s Ag Day by Tim Cross, Senior Vice President of UTIA, and Sonny Perdue, US Secretary of Agriculture.

Ruth is quick to point out that her appreciation of the land-grant system began when she was a fifth-grade 4-H’er in Philadelphia Elementary School in Loudon County. Her 4-H experience inspired her to go to college, which she did attending the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and earning her BS degree. Following graduation in 1975, Ruth began her professional career with UT Extension conducting both adult and 4-H programs in Sequatchie County. She returned to Knoxville in 1977 as assistant professor in the 4-H Youth Development Department where she spent the next twenty-four years before retiring in 2001.

Ruth’s professional duties in 4-H centered around staff development, volunteer management, and international programs. In addition, she served as president of the Tennessee Chapter of Gamma Sigma Delta and chair of the US 4-H International Committee.

In retirement Ruth has continued service to the Institute as a donor and volunteer. She is the immediate past president of the Tennessee 4-H Foundation, currently serves on the UTIA Advancement Board, and is the current president of the UTIA Retirees Association.

Clark Garland Named Distinguished Alumnus At TTU
John Jared, Past President

The Tennessee Technological University’s Agricultural Foundation named Clark Garland as a Distinguished Alumni at its annual meeting on October 19, 2019.

13th Annual Benefit Veterinary Piano Concert

An evening of piano and banjo music, singing, and tales for the whole family. Mark your calendar for Saturday, January 18, 2020, 7 p.m., Sweetwater Elementary School, 301 Broad Street. Admission: Adults $15, Students $10, Pre-School Free. Proceeds benefit the Prostate Cancer Foundation, local Boy Scout Troops, and our Sweetwater Valley Citizens for the Arts.

Retired UT Extension Specialist Inducted into National Hall of Fame
John Campbell Recognized by National Association of County Agricultural Agents

The lives of thousands of farm families, 4-H’ers, community members and many others in southern Middle Tennessee are all different because of one man’s commitment to community service and quality work through University of Tennessee Extension. John Campbell, a UT Extension retiree, was recently honored for this work and inducted into the Hall of Fame at the annual meeting of the National Association of County Agricultural Agents in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

The NACAA Hall of Fame Award recognizes members for demonstrated commitment, dedication and effective leadership in their job performance as an outstanding educator and as an outstanding humanitarian.

Campbell began his thirty-five-year career as a 4-H agent. For the last twenty-seven years of his time with UT Extension, Campbell served nine counties as an area farm management specialist and helped with more than 1,200 farm financial management plans and decisions. He authored a website and regular newsletter, taught more than 300 educational sessions, and produced a monthly milk outlook for dairy producers. Campbell also coordinated the development of a workshop curriculum for small farmers that has been used statewide and led a team which developed management and marketing curriculum for Tennessee’s Master Goat Producer program.