Purdue News
Purdue NewsDecember 12, 1997
The award goes annually to a Purdue staff or faculty member who has made an outstanding contribution to the progress of rural Indiana. Eight agricultural leaders from industry and the university select the recipient, who receives $800 and a plaque.
Long's 4-H career started more than 30 years ago in Pulaski, Wabash and Porter counties. Every place he worked, 4-H participation grew. His boundless energy and enthusiasm drew kids to his programs, as did his knack for fitting his teaching style to the learner, said Bob Ritchie, interim head of Purdue's 4-H Youth Department.
Allen Mohler, a former 4-H'er from Porter County, said: "We all look back on our lives and know there are special people who have had great influence on us as growing teen-agers. Norm was one of those special persons in my life. Junior Leader activities were something we just did not miss, because we loved to go."
Wanda Fox, another former Porter County 4-H member, said: "Norm believed in us, invested time in us and encouraged us to dream big. He provided guidance and support without taking too much control. As I look back on it, he had amazing patience and skill in working with this group of energetic and often idealistic kids from farms and small towns throughout Porter County."
After he moved to the state 4-H office, Long became the "educator's educator," said Ned Kalb, former Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service director for Marion County. "He helped many youth educators better understand the fundamentals of volunteer program development and management," Kalb said. "He served as a resource, coach, counselor and cheerleader for those involved in the 4-H and Youth Development program."
Long took over state programming for 4-H livestock and expanded programs to include educational opportunities for youngsters involved with corporate and hobby farms, Ritchie said. Long became the person to consult if you wanted to build and strengthen your county 4-H Council. He became the expert in liability and insurance issues in 4-H. He served as executive secretary of the Indiana 4-H Foundation. He learned, taught, counseled, listened. But, no matter what he did, kids always came first.
"I have known few community-based child advocates with Norm Long's leadership and ability," said John R. Poncher, a pediatrician from Valparaiso. "For those kids who were fortunate enough to actually interface with Norm, there was a lasting respect and valuable counsel that stayed with them long beyond their 4-H years."
Long earned both his bachelor's degree (1964) and his master's degree (1972) from Purdue. He received a doctoral degree (1978) from Ball State University.
Long's past honors include the Junior, Senior and Career Recognition Awards from the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Specialists Association (he is the only person ever to win all three); Purdue's Eric G. Sharvelle Distinguished Extension Specialists Award; and both the State Award of Meritorious Support Service and a Special Award in Recognition of Outstanding Leadership from the Alpha Lambda Chapter of Epsilon Sigma Phi.
The Hovde Award honors the memory of the late Frederick L. Hovde, a former Purdue president, and is made possible by the Indiana Farm Bureau.
Writer: Rebecca J. Goetz, (765) 494-0461; e-mail, rjg@aes.purdue.edu
Source: Bob Ritchie, (765) 494-8422; e-mail, bob_ritchie@fourh.purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu
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