Purdue Extension recognized many outstanding individuals during its annual Professional Development Conference. On Dec. 5, Purdue Extension announced the winners of three awards who showed a dedication to extension and a history of excellence: the 2024 Paul B. Crooks Outstanding Extension Educator Award, the 2024 Eric G. Sharvelle Distinguished Extension Specialist Award and the Director’s Award.
Richard Beckort, agriculture and natural resources (ANR) educator and co–community development educator for Jackson County, received the 2024 Paul B. Crooks Outstanding Extension Educator Award. The Crooks Award honors extension educators who have demonstrated excellence in extension programming.
Beckort has worked with Purdue Extension for over 30 years and has been involved in a range of programs, including Farmer-to-Farmer, Farm Stress and Becoming the Employer of Choice. These county-level, regional and state-wide efforts have equipped many participants from underserved communities with tools for success.
For example, Amy Thompson, Purdue Extension beginning farmers coordinator, notes in her nomination letter that Beckort has worked with Juntos 4-H to “provide 8th -12th grade Latino students and their parents with knowledge, skills and resources to prevent youth from dropping out of school and to encourage families to work together to gain access to college and other post-secondary options.”
Beckort also participates in national extension efforts to promote programming excellence. He has been an active member of the Indiana Extension Educators Association and has been a general member and the state president for Epsilon Sigma Phi, a national organization for extension professionals.
Amanda Dickson, international extension specialist, has worked with Beckort for 12 years and has seen the lasting effects of his work on global and local communities.
"Richard Beckort exemplifies innovation and impact in ANR Extension programming," Dickson said. “Whether tailoring horticulture education to unique regional conditions in Trinidad and Tobago or fostering lasting relationships with local producers in Indiana, his work creates meaningful, sustainable change for the communities he serves.”
Thompson emphasized Beckort’s care for his colleagues as well as communities. “He's very humble and willing to pitch in to help anybody,” Thompson said. “I've known him the 22 years I've worked for Purdue Extension. Over the years I’ve watched how people rely on him. You can ask him a question, and even if it's a basic question, he doesn't make you feel stupid.”
As part of the award, Beckort received a plaque and a $2,000 cash prize.
Brian Richert, associate professor of animal sciences, received the 2024 Eric G. Sharvelle Distinguished Extension Specialist Award. The Sharvelle Award recognizes an extension specialist who has served the people of Indiana by demonstrating a high degree of proficiency and professionalism during their careers, along with a track record of excellence in Extension programming.
Richert has worked with Purdue Extension for nearly 30 years and has shared his research and expertise about swine with many Hoosiers.
“Brian has been a steady and significant contributor to swine Extension through applied research and a multitude of extension programs for youth and adults,” Kara Stewart, professor of animal sciences, said. “He expects the graduate students he mentors to also contribute to extension programs, especially for Indiana youth and 4-H, and expands his reach and develops interest in extension through his students. Although he doesn’t often teach in the classroom, Brian is as much a teacher as a scientist for the public, the swine industry, students and future animal scientists.”
Morgan Thayer, a former undergraduate and PhD student of Richert’s, said he encouraged her to develop the “confidence and fire” she needed to get her PhD in swine nutrition.
“Dr. Richert was very involved in research projects and made sure his students had the tools to be successful in their careers,” Thayer said. “Dr. Richert is a caring person who creates a dedicated team environment and pushes his students to be their best.”
Richert’s work has benefited Hoosier youth through programs like Junior Pork Day and the Purdue Animal Sciences/Indiana State Fair Animal Town internship program. Pork producers have benefitted from Richert’s recommendations about swine nutrition and welfare and environmental management, and this research has contributed to Indiana being a leader in pork production. Other states have also benefited from the research, which has been published in the Journal of Extension, National Pork Board and American Society of Animal Science.
“Brian is a positive team member,” Allan Schinckel, professor of animal sciences, said. “He has broad extension experience with youth, waste management, small pork processors and pork production and has filled many roles in animal sciences. He had a key leadership role in the national swine nutrition handbook and a major role in swine nutrition.”
Richert received a plaque and a $2,000 as a part of the award.
Steve McKinley, Extension staff development specialist, received the 2024 Purdue Extension Director’s Award. The award honors someone who truly embodies the spirit of stepping up and stepping in—going above and beyond.
McKinley has led Purdue Extension’s efforts to implement a brand-new youth protection process and training.
As interim Purdue Extension Director and Associate Dean Angie Abbott explained in her award speech, “The initiative required developing a new module within the university system, drafting extensive documentation, tailoring training modules, tracking faculty and staff compliance, creating a new job description, and hiring a Youth Protection Administrator for Purdue Extension—all within just a few months.”
During this time, McKinley continued to lead professional development while also creating the new program. He “rose to the challenge with unwavering focus and exceptional leadership,” Abbott said. “His keen attention to detail, outstanding customer service and deep commitment to doing what’s best for young people and Purdue Extension stood out at every step. Even amidst the complexities of this work, he found innovative solutions to ensure that young people continued to have positive, enriching experiences.”
For these contributions as well as his ongoing commitment to excellence in Extension, McKinley was selected as the recipient of this year’s Director’s Award.