The Dean and Director's Award for Distinguished Contributions to the University of Minnesota Extension Service was established in 1981 by Norman Brown (Director, 1980 - 1984), to recognize outstanding service by a non-Extension individual or organization to the people of Minnesota through demonstrably superior contributions in support of University of Minnesota Extension Service programs. Selections are made by the dean and director from nominations by Extension faculty and staff.
Patrick O'Connor
Hennepin County Auditor/Treasurer and Acting Associate County Administrator
A longtime Extension advocate, a member of Hennepin County's Extension Committee for over 12 years and chair of Extension's statewide Citizens' Advisory Committee, Pat has long been a thoughtful and helpful promoter for defining Extension's commitment to the metro-urban area. He led a successful relocation for Hennepin County Extension, succeeded in getting increased local funding for nutrition programming, and helped shape the vision for Extension's new Director of Urban Operations position.
Jon Evert, Clay County Commissioner
Through long-time association with Extension--4-H, Extension Citizens' Advisory Committee, Northwest Minnesota Regional Sustainable Partnership, County Extension Committee--Jon was out front in Extension's change plan, helping to assure continued relevance to Minnesota residents in the 21st century.
Charles Muscoplat, Vice President and Dean of the College of
Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences
Grasping the urgency of sustaining the University's many contributions across the state, Chuck Muscoplat advocated steadfastly and tirelessly for Extension with University central administration. With equal vigor, he defended Extension with legislators, articulating the benefits in ways that could be understood.
Jeanne Krueger, Big Stone County Commissioner and Chair, AMC Extension Committee
Marybeth Rogers, Rice County Commissioner and Vice-Chair, AMC Extension Committee
James Mulder, Executive Director, Association of Minnesota Counties, for his leadership as Executive Director for past eleven years and providing local and statewide support for Extension programs and staff.
Alfred D. Sullivan, for Extension outreach education as Dean of the College of Natural Resources and Associate Director of the Agricultural Experiment Station.
Under review, no Dean and Director's awards committee.
C. Eugene (Gene) Allen (Roseville), for championing Extension outreach education throughout his career, particularly in his roles as Director of the Agricultural Experiment Station, Vice President for the Institute of Agriculture, Forestry, and Home Economics, and Provost for Professional Studies.
Mary Hauser (St. Paul), for her advocacy and enthusiasm for Extension program and educators, especially in Washington County and the metro area, and in chairing the Association of Minnesota Counties Subcommittee on Extension (1996-1998).
Marvin Johnson (Maple Plain), for lifelong involvement in Extension and his willingness to devote time and effort in political and other arenas on Extension's behalf.
Don Koverman (Plainview), for local and statewide support for Extension and for his sound, thoughtful advice, inventive outlook, and infectious enthusiasm for Extension.
Nils Hasselmo, University of Minnesota President, and Patricia Hasselmo (St. Paul), for outstanding support and sustained efforts on behalf of Extension and University outreach education.
Steve Dille, Minnesota State Senator (Dassel), for strong support in the legislature for Extension programs and helping other legislators understand the importance of Extension educational work.
Kenneth Albrecht (North Mankato), for outstanding leadershipo and contributions as Nicollet County commissioner, Cluster 29 Extension Advisory Committee member, and Citizens' Advisory Committee member and chair.
Robert Crom (Hackensack), for leadership as executive director, Extension Division, National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges (NASULGC) and its support for the state Extension services' role and importance to the land-grant university mission and goals.
Virgil Johnson (Caledonia), for lifelong contributiosn as a citizen and a Minnesota state legislator.
Lee Luebbe (Winona), for support of Extension as a Winona County commissioner, county Extension committee member, and Citizens' Advisory Committee member, and through developing a multi-agency pilot project to educate local elected and appointed officials (Project LEAP).
LeRoy Stumpf (Thief River Falls), for leadership and contributions as a citizen and state legislator. Senator Stumpf's outstanding leadership in the legislature, especially on the higher education, funding, and agriculture committees, was invaluable in helping decision-makers understand the potential of the Minnesota Extension Service to assist Minnesotans in improving the quality of their lives.
Charles Griebel (New Ulm), for leadership and contributions as a county commissioner involved with revitalizing Brown County Extension programs. A retired farmer, Griebel served on the Regent's Committee to study the Minnesota Extension Service (MES) and helped organize and chaired MES county cluster 12. He also contributed to strengthening MES's link to the Association of Minnesota Counties and was a member of the 4-H Foundation.
Margaret Matalamaki (Grand Rapids), for service on the Citizens' Advisory Committee and the advisory council to the University's Institute of Agriculture, Forestry and Home Economics. A former Itasca County commissioner, Matalamaki also served as a trustee for the Charles K. Blandin Foundation, chaired the board of directors of the Grand Rapids Marriage and Family Development Council, and was active in the League of Women Voters, Citizens League, and Minnesota Women for Agriculture.
Wallace W. (Wally) Nelson (Lamberton), for leadership and contributions to agriculture programs in southwestern Minnesota. Superintendent of the Lamberton Experiment Station 1970-1992, Nelson was a mentor to new Extension educators in the counties near Lamberton. He was a member of numerous professional societies and was also honored by the Minnesota Crop Improvement Association, Future Farmers of America, Minnesota Corn Growers Association, and the University's College of Agriculture.
Russell and Mary Anne Bragg (Eden Prairie), for support of 4-H youth development. Especially appreciated were Russell's contributions as a trustee and past president of the Minnesota 4-H Foundation and Mary Anne's interest and involvement in Foundation events and programs.
Vin Weber, for support of Extension as Minnesota congressman from the Second Congressional District. Especially appreciated was his work in securing federal funding for Extension nationally and organizing "Salute to Extension" programs in southwestern Minnesota, recognizing accomplishments of county Extension agents, staff, and volunteers in several priority issue programs.
Lyndon Carlson (Crystal), for support of Extension outreach educational programs as a state representative and citizen. Especially appreciated were his contributions as a member of the 1989 Blue Ribbon Task Force to study University/County Relationships, leadership as chair of the House Appropriations-Higher Education Division Committee, and close involvement in enacting the 1990 revised County Extension Law.
Myrna Pease (Litchfield), for service as Meeker County Extension Committee member, 1990 chair of the Extension Home Economics Advisory Committee, and aide to Congressional representative Vin Weber and coordinator of his annual Salute to Extension event. Pease's efforts resulted in greater visibility and citizen support for Extension.
Charles Casey (West Concord), for commitment and contributions as a veterinarian, University of Minnesota regent, and Minnesota citizen. Regent Casey has been a strong voice for Extension throughout his career, providing an eloquent perspective on what an Extension service should provide to Minnesota citizens. As chair of the Board of Regents, he was especially appreciated for his enthusiastic support for an effective Minnesota Extension Service.
Margaret Langfeld (Blaine), for service on the Extension Citizens' Advisory Committee, chairing the 1986 Regents' Committee to Review the Minnesota Extension Service, serving as 1989 chair of the Association of Minnesota Counties, and providing legislative testimony on Extension's behalf. Langfeld was cited for her leadership and enthusiasm in fostering close working relationships between counties and the University, resulting in a highly positive and supportive partnership with a superior program as the common goal.
Rollin Dennistoun (Apple Valley), for commitment and contributions to Extension throughout his 43-year career devoted to improving Minnesota agriculture. Dr. Dennistoun, former Deputy Commissioner of Agriculture, was cited for enthusiasm, dedication, and expertise in addressing agricultural concerns of Minnesotans.
Mary Page (Olivia), for contributions to Extension through membership on the Minnesota Extension Citizens' Advisory Committee and the national Committee for Agricultural Research, Education, and Teaching (CARET). Mary (also then newly elected to the University's Board of Regents) was cited for leadership, dedication, and enthusiasm in advocating Extension programs and the land-grant philosophy statewide and nationally. Also noted was her commitment to outreach educational programming, especially in community leadership development.
Frank Hansen (Tofte), for contributions as a member of the Minnesota Extension Citizens' Advisory Committee and 1986 chair of the Association of Minnesota Counties. Frank helped establish closer working relationships between Extension and AMC by urging formation of an AMC advisory committee. He was also cited for overall support of Extension educational programs, especially in recreation and tourism.
Verne Long (Pipestone), for contributions as a legislator, University of Minnesota regent, and Minnesota citizen. Vern participated and supported Extension throughout his life and careers.
Drs. Barry Garfinkel and Harry Hoberman (University of Minnesota Medical School), for outstanding cooperative efforts with Extension in implementing "Teens in Distress" programs statewide and nationally. Garfinkel and Hoberman were director and staff psychologist respectively in the child and adolescent psychiatry division of the UM Medical School.
Mary Preisler (Bejou), for commitment and contributions to the Project Support farm credit mediation program. Mary was a volunteer mediator in farmer/lender mediation cases in her area. She was also the first adult leader for the 4-H state advisory board and helped organize the statewide 4-H leaders association.
Karol "Bud" Berglind (Ada), for leadership and commitment to Extension programs, particularly 4-H youth development. Berglind also served on the Citizens' Advisory Committee.
Marian Chase (Virginia), for volunteer coordination with Extension in northern St. Louis County. Marian was instrumental in establishing the volunteer budget consultant program in the Virginia, Minnesota, area.
Diane Ahrens (St. Paul), for leadership as a Ramsey County commissioner in helping Southeast Asian refugees to resettle in Minnesota, especially her work with the Minnesota Agricultural Enterprise for New Americans.
C. Peter Magrath(St. Paul), University of Minnesota President (1974-1984), for courageous leadership and wholehearted commitment to the Extension educational outreach mission of the University of Minnesota.
Mary Lou Ludeman (Lyon County), for long-standing contributions as a 4-H volunteer leader, 20-year member and chair of Lyon County Extension Committee, member and chair of the Minnesota Extension Citizens' Advisory Committee, and representative to regional and national Extension advisory committees.
Minnesota Council on Family Relations, to recognize close cooperative work with the Minnesota Agricultural Extension Service to strengthen Minnesota families.
Vince and Sherry Sether (Ramsey County), for outstanding service to the young people of Minnesota through their contributions in support of the 4-H Youth Development program.
Albert Quie (Governor of Minnesota 1979 - 1982), for superior contributions in support of the programs of the Minnesota Agricultural Extension Service.
Wendell Erickson (State Representative, District 26B), for superior contributions as a legislative leader in helping others understand the need for strong agricultural support.
Linus Tumbleson (director of agricultural development, Burlington Northern Railroad), for superior contributions in helping establish the Minnesota 4-H Foundation.
