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Dec. 2, 2024 by Sydney Peterson, Iowa State University Extension & Outreach
Morris' successes over his 37-year Iowa State University Extension and Outreach career were recognized by 4-H faculty, both internally and externally, and influenced the development of 4-H programs within Iowa and across the nation. Morris began his 4-H career as a Walnut Progressors 4-H Club member in Dallas County. He participated in beef, swine and science, mechanics and engineering projects early on, but he especially appreciated his opportunities in the leadership program, where he learned about himself and the person he wanted to be. "At my first 4-H club meeting, the Dallas County Walnut Progressors, this shy 10-year-old was elected recreation chairman. From this humble beginning, I discovered county fair exhibits, educational presentations, county 4-H council, local and state camps and conferences, and countless other 4-H adventures," Morris said. "It is these experiences that are the GENIUS of 4-H. It is that opportunity for each person who participates in 4-H to find their unique path to help them prepare for a successful future." He began his extension career as 4-H and youth leader in Clay and Buena Vista counties in 1975 and was shortly after asked to join the state 4-H youth staff on campus. Morris provided leadership in agriculture and volunteer development on campus before becoming assistant state leader and state 4-H leader in 2004. After seven successful years as state 4-H leader, Morris retired in 2013. One of his special memories as a 4-H member was representing Iowa at the National 4-H Conference during his senior year in high school. At that time, Iowa had added "and my world" to the 4-H pledge, but the rest of the country had not. Through his and others' work on the international committee at the National 4-H Conference, they proposed that the addition be adopted nationally, which came to fruition in 1973. Judy Levings, former associate 4-H director, said, "I think this [honor] is fitting because fundamental to Chuck's work was broadening the scope and the impact role of volunteers and giving youth not only a voice, but a stronger role in the program and decision making, and I don't think every leader does that. He meant it, we lived by it and we worked it." Highlights of Morris' tenure were leading the state 4-H council and Iowa 4-H Youth Conference, state volunteer Forums, and developing educational materials for 4-H club leaders using face-to-face and online delivery methods. He created new recruitment materials for 4-H volunteers, developed a volunteer training and support plan, created animal species advisory committees to provide oversight and assistance in decision making, created the horseless horse program for youth who want to learn about horses but do not own one themselves, and led the Strengthening 4-H Clubs effort that included club assessments and efforts to improve vibrancy in 4-H clubs. Brenda Allen, associate director of extension operations and former colleague of Morris, explained one of the pieces that she thinks is a legacy of Morris' work. "One of the things I found most endearing was the time Chuck spent with our state 4-H council. We would meet four times a year on the weekends. Chuck would always make it a priority to find time in his schedule on that weekend to spend at least an hour, sometimes a couple of hours, not just sharing with the 4-H'ers but also picking their brains as to what is most important to our program because Chuck always wanted to do what was best for the young people. Chuck lived and breathed that; he engaged young people on decision-making boards on every level." Morris' advocacy for youth voice and volunteerism led to appointments for himself regionally and nationally across the 4-H and larger Cooperative Extension System - as chair of the governor-appointed state task force on youth education employment and training; member of the National 4-H Congress Design Team, National 4-H Curriculum Leadership Team, National 4-H Advisory Team, Iowa State Fair Board and Iowa Excellence in Extension committee; chair of the North Central Region 4-H Program Directors; president of Epsilon Sigma Phi; and to the executive team for the state commission on volunteerism. "These efforts helped steer millions of dollars of state and national funding for programs in Iowa," said Levings. "It's because of [Morris'] dedication and commitment to volunteers and youth that made all of this happen and have created lasting impacts on the Iowa 4-H program today." Morris has also served as a member of the Iowa Arboretum board of directors, FarmHouse Fraternity Association board president and various roles in his local church. He was inducted into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame in 2021 and was a recipient of the ISU Alumni Association Superior Service Award and Jerry Parsons 4-H Youth Professional Award. He received the NAE4-HA American Spirit Award, Distinguished Service Award and ESP State Mid-Career Award. He and his wife, Mary, were the recipients of the 2020 Iowa 4-H Foundation Individual Supporter award. "The one thing I always remember about Chuck is that he always remembered to say, 'What is the right thing to do for the young people?' Always, every time," said Mitchell Hoyer, Iowa 4-H program leader. "That sticks with me, and it carries with me today. It's made me always consider the right thing to do for a young person so that we can keep them involved in our program, have some type of positive experience and help them learn from that experience." Chuck Morris accepts his National 4-H Hall of Fame plaque."We are proud to honor and recognize the outstanding individuals who are the Class of 2024 Laureates for the National 4-H Hall of Fame. These individuals have touched the lives of many people, from 4-H staff and colleagues to thousands of 4-H volunteers and members throughout the nation," said Pamela Van Horn, chair of the National 4-H Hall of Fame. "[Joining] 4-H was the best decision of my life; little did I know at the time, because all the opportunities 4-H provides and that's what we were in the business to do was to provide very special opportunities for young people to grow, learn life skills and to become successful adults," Morris said. "Chuck was the essence of Iowa 4-H," said Gail Castillo, 4-H risk management specialist. "He not only believed in the power of 4-H; he also worked daily to help everyone - be they members, volunteers or staff - feel a sense of belonging and a sense of community in our program." "Chuck has most certainly touched the lives of thousands of young people, as he served as an inspiration and mentor to many. His legacy in 4-H has ensured that Iowa's youth will continue to have opportunities to learn and thrive," Hoyer added. The National 4-H Hall of Fame laureates are nominated by their home states, the National 4-H Council, the National Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals or the 4-H National Headquarters of USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture based upon their exceptional leadership at the local, state, national and international levels. 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 the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents in partnership with the National 4-H Council and 4-H National Headquarters of USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. For more information about the National 4-H Hall of Fame event and past recipients, visit 4-h-hof.com. Tweet |
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