Safrit receives Meritorious Service Award

The National Association of Extension 4-H Agents (NAE4-HA) has honored Dr. R. Dale Safrit of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, N.C. State University. Safrit, professor, director of graduate programs and Extension specialist in the CALS Department of 4-H Youth Development and Family and Consumer Sciences, has been chosen to receive the association’s Meritorious Service Award.

The award is given to NAE4-HA members who have demonstrated innovative youth programming and leadership in the association. Nominees are assessed according to their professional accomplishments, attitude and improvement, as well as personal and community interests and special honors. Safrit’s award was presented during the 2010 NAE4-HA annual conference held this past October in Phoenix, Ariz.

As professor and 4-H Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Extension specialist, Safrit serves as leader for the 4-H human resource development and delivery team. He coordinates all statewide 4-H professional development initiatives, including new professionals’ orientation, youth development institutes, and the 4-H L.I.N.C. Program. He is director of and teaches courses in the Family Life and Youth Development Leadership (FYD) graduate program. Safrit’s faculty research addresses administration and leadership for non-profit programs, focused upon professional development. He also serves as editor of The International Journal of Volunteer Administration (IJOVA).

Safrit, who is from Rowan County, has been a life-long 4-H member. He earned a May 1980 bachelor’s degree in entomology, a December 1980 bachelor’s degree in science education, a 1983 master’s degree in medical and veterinary entomology and a 1990 Ed.D. degree in adult and community college education, all from N.C. State University. He has served as a county agent and state 4-H specialist in North Carolina, and he was a faculty member at The Ohio State University and associate state 4-H leader in Ohio from 1990 to 1996. He returned to N.C. State in 2001. – Terri Leith