Mike Davis Inducted into National 4-H Hall of Fame

Dr. Michael Davis, N.C. State University assistant vice chancellor for Extension and Engagement and former state 4-H leader, has been inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame. He was recognized on Oct. 7 for his lifetime achievements and contributions to 4-H. Honored by the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents (NAE4-HA), Davis was one of 15 inductees in ceremonies held at the National 4-H Youth Conference Center in Chevy Chase, Md.

 “NAE4-HA is proud to acknowledge the outstanding 2011 National 4-H Hall of Fame honorees for the passion, dedication, vision and leadership they’ve shown toward our young people during their many years of service to 4-H,” said Lori Purcell-Bledsoe, president, NAE4-HA.

Davis, a native of Greensboro, earned his master’s and doctorate degrees from N.C. State University, after receiving his bachelor’s degree from UNC-CH. The former director of the state’s 4-H Youth Development Program in North Carolina, he served as chairman of the National 4-H Strategic Directions Council, developing the strategic plan for the 4-H program that reaches more than 4 million youths annually. In 2001 he became assistant vice chancellor for Extension and Engagement at N.C. State University and helped create the Gateway county program, whereby N.C. State connects the resources of the total university with community needs. Davis is also director of the General Hugh Shelton Initiative for Leadership Development at N.C. State.

National 4-H Hall of Fame honorees are nominated by their home states, National 4-H Council, National Association of Extension 4-H Agents or 4-H Headquarters based upon their exceptional leadership at the local, state, national and international levels.

The honorees were presented with National 4-H Hall of Fame Medallion, plaque and memory book during the ceremony. The National 4-H Hall of Fame was established in 2002 as part of the Centennial Project of the NAE4-HA, and it partners with the National 4-H Council and National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), USDA.