Cooperative Extension Service Communications and Technology Department 3354 1000 E. University Ave. Laramie, WY 82071 (307) 766-6342 • fax (307) 766-3998 • www.uwyo.edu

 

For Immediate Release

 

 

Contact: Steven L. Miller, Senior Editor

Phone: (307) 766-6342

E-mail: slmiller@uwyo.edu

Archived News Site www.uwyo.edu/agadmin/news/news.htm

 

Date: Oct. 13, 2006

UW extension members win national, regional honors

 

            A University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service (UW CES) nutrition program educator’s effort to help Wyoming citizens eat better for less and a Medicare education program have recently received national honors.

             The awards were presented by the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences at its national meeting Oct. 3-6 in Denver.

            UW CES members also received several regional awards.

            "I am so pleased to see this recognition of our educators,” said Glen Whipple, UW CES director and College of Agriculture associate dean. “It is gratifying to see their excellent work recognized as the best anywhere." 

            Marilou Vaughn, UW CES Cent$ible Nutrition Program (CNP) assistant project coordinator in Fremont County, won a national and regional award for her work. Vaughn has been a nutrition educator for 19 years. “It’s such an honor to receive a national award,” said Vaughn. “I was excited.”

            CNP helps food stamp program-eligible residents learn how to eat better for less and stretch their food stamp buying power.

            “I’ve always been interested in nutrition and helping families learn how to eat healthier,” said Vaughn, born and raised in Riverton. She works with adults and youths. In 2004-2005, she worked with 615 school-age children in Riverton, Shoshone and Pavillion.

            Campbell, Crook and Weston counties educator Vicki Hayman and her team received a national community partnership award for their Medicare education efforts. More than 65 extension educators from Wyoming, Idaho, Nevada and South Dakota partnered to provide Medicare-approved Prescription Drug Discount Card education and enrollment in 2005.

            Between Nov. 1, 2004, and July 28, 2005, at least 46,571 Medicare recipients in these states enrolled for Medicare-approved drug cards, resulting in a potential savings of at least $1.5 million for enrollees.

            “Wyoming strategies leading to our success included a CES nutrition and food safety initiative team approach, credibility of CES, agency/organization partnerships, community education outreach, marketing and working with volunteers,” said Hayman, the grant project leader.

             “I hope this project will provide future opportunities for partnerships among states and agencies within states, give Wyoming the ability to meet future needs given demographics of county, and allow for more national and federal partnerships and recognition,” she said.

            Six UW CES educator and staff members were part of a team that received a regional program excellence through research award. The team was honored for Steps To a New You, a research project in Wyoming, Montana and Idaho. The program combines a series of seven food/physical activity/body image classes with a pedometer-based physical activity program. Research has documented that Steps to A New You can help adults make changes consistent with a healthier lifestyle.  

            “We were pleased to be recognized for the hard work associated with our research,” said Chris Pasley, UW CES educator in Platte, Goshen and Laramie counties, and project co-leader. “I personally was proud of the team and its efforts in presenting preliminary results of the research. “

            Information about the program is at www.uwyo.edu/UWCES/A_New_You.asp

            Patti Griffith, a UW CES educator for the Fremont County and Wind River area, received a distinguished service award. “It’s nice to be recognized by your peers,” said Griffith. Griffith initiated lesson updates and format changes to help new employees ensure more consistency in the delivery of programs throughout the state.

            Denise Smith, nutrition and food safety educator for Converse, Natrona and Niobrara counties, was awarded the continued excellence honor.

            “Receiving this award is one of the pinnacles of my 30-year career with the UW CES,” said Smith.  “It is very nice to receive this recognition for my programming efforts in my county and in my area.”

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