Agricultural News
Oklahoma 4-H Foundation Hosts 50th Anniversary Homecoming Celebration
Wed, 15 Aug 2012 16:40:02 CDT
The Oklahoma 4-H Foundation is turning 50! On Sept. 22, past and present 4-H'ers will be invited back to Oklahoma State University to honor the Foundation at its 50th Anniversary Homecoming Celebration and to enjoy a fun-filled, casual celebration that will feature a barbecue lunch with time to reminisce with friends, educators and mentors. Attendees also will have an opportunity to tour the brand new, multi-million-dollar OSU athletics facilities.
"Oklahoma 4-H has such a rich history, and we have some of the best alumni in the country," said Jim Rutledge, the executive director of the Oklahoma 4-H Foundation. "The purpose of the Foundation has always been to support 4-H, and we would like to invite all former 4-H'ers back to reconnect with each other and with this amazing organization that has helped so many of us succeed."
When the Oklahoma 4-H Foundation was founded in 1962, it listed less than $14,000 in assets. Today, the Foundation has more than $6 million to devote to promoting 4-H, sending 4-H'ers and volunteers to conferences, and giving awards and scholarships to deserving members and alumni. Each year the Foundation gives $50,000 in college scholarships alone.
"It's awesome how this group of people is dedicated to making 4-H the best it can be," said Jenna Murray, a current Oklahoma 4-H Ambassador and a 2011 Oklahoma 4-H Hall of Fame winner. "The fact that the Foundation cares so much about youth development, knows we are the future, and invests in us is amazing to me."
Rutledge said the Foundation's Board of Directors decided to call the event a "Homecoming Celebration" because it will be just that for those who grew up in the 4-H program.
"When you go back to your high school or college for the Homecoming football game, you go to show support, to have fun and to reconnect with a school that helped you become the person you are today," Rutledge said. "We want this celebration to have the same effect on former 4-H'ers. We hope you will see old friends, make new ones and renew your appreciation for the 4-H program."
The festivities will begin at 11 a.m. in the Wes Watkins Center on the OSU campus in Stillwater. Lunch will be served at noon, and tours of the athletics facilities will begin at 1:30 p.m.
Cost for the 4-H Foundation's 50th Anniversary Homecoming Celebration will be $20 per person, and the Foundation would like all attendees to register before the event.
Interested parties can register online by clicking here, or by calling the 4-H Foundation office at 405-744-5390.
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