25th Anniversary of IEPYE
On November 3, 1970, 7:00 AM, 25 Illinois Extension Advisers and State 4-H Staff members gathered in the Purdue Memorial Union, Lafayette, Indiana with representatives of NAE4HA (Then called NAEA) and organized the Illinois Association of Extension Advisers, Youth--IAEA-Youth. Twenty five years later on September 29, 1995 the 25th Anniversary was celebrated at the Associations Annual Meeting held at the Allerton House, Monticello.
Illinois Extension had undergone changes and so had the State Association. A few years ago they had changed their name to Illinois Extension Professionals for Youth Education-IEPYE. Tom Schingoethe and Diane Bechtel served as MC's for the Celebration and called on Extension Staff from the past and present to recall the history and growth of IEPYE. Flo Banwart, now in Indiana, was Extension Adviser, Home Economics, Peoria County and was the first Secretary of the Association. She recalled the other officers that first year. They were Mildred Benz, Jackson County, President; Florita Hogendobler, Pulaski-Alexander County, Vice President; and Larry Camp, Knox County, Treasurer.
Others sharing glimpses from the past were: Bill Stone, retired from State 4-H Staff; Harold Salzman, retired Extension Adviser, LaSalle County; Bea Bagby, Region V Director; Dave Pyle, Assistant Director, 4-H and Youth; Larry Wachtel, Unit Leader,and Dr. Don Uchtmann, Director of Illinois CES. Past presidents present who are no longer in Illinois CES and present for the celebration were: Wayne Wubbena, Nancy Marshall Gearhart, Harold Salzman, Flo Banwart, and Jeannea Shier.
One of the highlights of the Association's history was the hosting of the 1984 National Meeting of NAE4HA in Chicago. It was noted this was the biggest and best attended National meeting to date. It was also noted that one of the reasons Illinois was able to put on such a great National Meeting was the help and cooperation the Association received from all Extension Staff in Illinois.
The Celebration also recognized Illinois Staff who served on the National Board during the past 25 years. They were: Nancy Marshall Gearhart, Wayne Wubbena, and Mary Jo Stewart who served as North Central Regional Directors and Mildred Benz, Larry Wachtel, Audrey Vincent, Nancy Marhsall, Wayne Wubbena, David McMurtry, Linda Kutilek, and Diane Bechtel who served as National Committee Chairman. Also recognized were Gerald Gast and Errol Burns who moved to Illinois after having been elected National President of NAE4HA.
The IEPYE 25th Anniversary Committee was: Larry Wachtel, Chairman, Diane Bechtel, Pennie Crinion, Larry Coon, Deb Pflasterer, Sheri Seibold, Mary Jo Stewart, and Tom Schingoethe.