Two retired West Virginia University Extension professionals, Jeffrey Orndorff and Glenn Snyder Jr., were formally inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame in October during a ceremony in Washington, D.C. The honor recognizes their lifetime achievements and contributions to the 4-H program.
Honorees were presented with a 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 National Association of Extension 4-H Agents, in partnership with National 4-H Council and National 4-H Headquarters at United States Department of Agriculture.
Jeffrey Orndorff
Orndorff’s journey in 4-H spanned five decades. He was a 4-H member for 10 years, then served as a county youth development professional before taking on the role as a state 4-H specialist – a position he held for 28 years. Orndorff provided transformational leadership for camping and educational programming.
Orndorff’s efforts at the county level expanded the number of 4-H members from 345 to 3,655 and established two county 4-H foundations. He created science camps and camping program delivery methods that would serve as a model for West Virginia 4-H, as well as coordinated the National Camping Institute and created camping programs for underserved communities that did not have camp facilities.
During his state tenure, he raised more than $830,000 for county and state programs, directed 84 state-level residential camps that reached over 25,000 youths and implemented weekend camps and events that served an estimated 200,000 youths in all 55 counties. Orndorff also coordinated international exchange programs for youths and worked with the Operation Military Kids program.
“Jeff truly was the model of an Extension professional, working hard to better his community by teaching youths new skills, fostering leadership and serving the people,” Brent Clark, director, WVU Extension 4-H Youth Development, said.
He served as a member of the WVU Faculty Senate and was a board member of the West Virginia Extension Association. He also was vice president and treasurer of Epsilon Sigma Phi and served on numerous National 4-H Congress committees.
Orndorff has received numerous awards, including the Most Loyal Mountaineer Faculty Member award and multiple accolades from National 4-H, including the Meritorious Service, Outstanding Service as a Board Member and Distinguished Service awards, among others.
Glenn Snyder Jr.
Snyder is a member of the 2020 National 4-H Hall of Fame, but because of the pandemic, the ceremony was postponed. He was formally inducted during a special ceremony for the class of 2020.
Snyder’s leadership in 4-H lasted more than three decades, where he served as a county Extension 4-H agent and state specialist. With a background in agricultural projects as a youth, a master’s degree in agriculture and prior experience managing a dairy farm, he transformed county and state 4-H and Future Farmers of America agricultural projects.
In his time as a county agent, Snyder worked with colleagues to create a dairy heifer replacement program that expanded to the entire state. He led more than 7,200 youths from community 4-H clubs to win their individual and team competitions and also developed statewide scoring guides for about 150 subjects, as well as a leadership training program.
“Glenn carried more assignments than any two faculty members. He did a better job of organizing and doing a quality job than any faculty member I have worked with,” said retired state 4-H leader Ed Rapking. “He led aggressive programs of innovation and improvement that helped new staff to be successful.”
During his more than 24 years as a state specialist, Snyder worked with tens of thousands of youths through programs such as the State 4-H Livestock Roundup, West Virginia Dairy Cattle Show, State 4-H Roundup, State Fair Junior Livestock Show and National 4-H Congress. He chaired the National 4-H Automotive Program Developmental Committee and was a judge in multiple areas at National 4-H Congress. Under Snyder’s leadership, a learning resource center was created at WVU Jackson’s Mill.
Over his career, he has held key leadership roles in many organizations. These include the West Virginia Extension Association board of directors, Northeast regional director for Epsilon Sigma Phi, WVU College of Agriculture and Forestry Alumni Association board of directors and National 4-H Congress Headquarters chair.
Snyder is the recipient of numerous awards, including the WVU Agriculture and Forestry Hall of Fame, WVU Outstanding Program Excellence Award, WVU Outstanding Teacher and National Association of Extension 4-H Agents Distinguished Service Award, among others.
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jrk/slk/10/13/21
CONTACT: Sydney Keener
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