University of Wisconsin - Extension

MADISON, Wis.—Sept. 21, 2006—University of Wisconsin-Extension/University of Wisconsin Colleges Chancellor David Wilson on Thursday will present awards to 16 individuals and organizations that have made exceptional contributions to the UW-Extension and the quality of Wisconsin residents’ lives this past year. Recipients will accept their awards at UW-Extension’s Annual Awards Banquet at the Pyle Center in Madison.

Wisconsin Idea Award

Shirley E. Johnson will receive the UW-Extension’s esteemed Wisconsin Idea Award for ensuring that future generations know about and appreciate UW-Extension’s significant contributions to the quality of life in the state and nation. Johnson is spearheading the development of an online database of UW-Extension history.

Friend of Extension Award

The Friend of Extension Award honors those individuals and organizations that have given substantial support to the extension outreach mission at the local, state and/or national levels. The Wisconsin Alumni Association is receiving the award for collaborating with UW-Extension in bringing together people of all ages to learn, share and grow through successful outreach programs like the Grandparents University and Wednesday Nite @ The Lab.

UW-Extension Career Award

Three individuals will receive a UW-Extension Career Award for sustained, outstanding and significant programmatic contributions to the extension function in the UW System:

*Howard Lee, professor and program director, University of Wisconsin-Stout

*Pat Ludeman, family living educator, Dane County Cooperative Extension

*Dan Wilson, community development educator/department head/chair, Department of Community Resource Development, Washington County Cooperative Extension

UW-Extension Award for Excellence in Civic Engagement

New this year, the Award for Excellence in Civic Engagement recognizes outstanding performance of an individual, program or unit that has advanced UW-Extension’s commitment to civic engagement and/or service-learning.

*ArtsBuild SmART Communities, UW-Platteville Office of Continuing Education

*Nancy Livingston, youth development agent, Vilas County Cooperative Extension

UW-Extension Award for Excellence

Faculty and staff receiving a UW-Extension Award for Excellence for outstanding performance in program development, teaching and support of the extension mission are:

*Barbara Dueholm, director of human resources, Broadcasting and Media Innovations

*Judith Knudsen, department head/family living educator, Brown County Cooperative Extension

*Donna Menart, assistant state program leader, 4-H Youth Development, Cooperative Extension

*Cheryl Skjolaas, senior outreach specialist/agricultural safety and health specialist, UW-Madison/Extension

UW-Extension Classified Staff Exceptional Service Award

Those receiving a UW-Extension Classified Staff Exceptional Service Award for outstanding performance in supporting the extension function are:

*Carol Hillmann, office operations associate/WisLine Web coordinator, Instructional Communications Systems

*Arlene Leppin, administrative assistant, Green Lake County Cooperative Extension

*Janet Short, operations program associate, Wisconsin Rural Leadership Program

*Bob Stout and John Wittenmeier, electronic media technicians, Wisconsin Public Radio

The UW-Extension uses university research, knowledge and resources to meet the educational needs of more than a million Wisconsin residents annually. Programs are delivered through 26 UW campuses, 72 county offices and the statewide networks of Wisconsin Public Radio and Wisconsin Public Television. For more information, see http://www.uwex.edu.