UT Institute of Agriculture Presents Top Faculty and Staff Awards for 2022
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture recognized some of its top faculty, staff, researchers and Extension experts at UTIA’s annual Awards and Promotions luncheon on the UTIA campus in Knoxville August 16, 2022. Many of the awards are gifts made possible by faculty, alumni and friends of the Institute.
UT Institute of Agriculture Senior Vice Chancellor and Senior Vice President Carrie Castille hosted the award winners and celebrated their work. “I am so excited to recognize excellence as exemplified by the award-winning members of our UTIA faculty and staff,” Castille says. “Their continuing commitment to our land-grant mission ensures that the Institute develops and delivers real-life solutions to improve the health and economy of our state and beyond while also enhancing our environment.”
Connie Goff-Sharp, a UT Extension agent in Washington County, is the winner of the Alice Ann Moore Outstanding 4-H Agent Award. This award was established by Alice Ann Moore, former director of UT Extension 4-H Youth Development programs, who, for over 30 years, provided exemplary service to the University of Tennessee in many capacities. She herself was a 4-H member in Crockett County. Under her leadership, Tennessee 4-H developed a life skills evaluation system that is nationally recognized as a ground-breaking scientific means of providing feedback on the effectiveness of 4-H youth education programs. She is also an honorary life member of the Tennessee 4-H Foundation.
“I am honored to receive this award since I personally worked with Ms. Moore throughout her Extension Career,” says Goff-Sharp. “Counting my time in Virginia, I have now done 4-H work for 40 years. Youth development is my passion – my calling. I am both humbled and honored to receive this award. Special thanks to God for allowing me to find joy in 4-H.”
Goff-Sharp has nearly spent her entire 40-year career in 4-H at UT. While 4-H is her passion, she also enjoys teaching clothing construction, quilting and manners. For her, the greatest part of the job is getting to work with the youth and watching them grow physically, intellectually and emotionally. She remarks that some of their public speaking stories will bring tears to your eyes.
“Not only do we have fun with the youth while teaching them, but we share their joys and sorrows. I enjoy camp, too, especially teaching the ropes course and interacting with the youth,” she adds.
Goff-Sharp has a master’s degree in human development and family studies from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Among her many achievements, she has received the Tennessee Association of Extension 4-H Workers Distinguished Service Award, the Epsilon Sigma Phi Early Career Award, the Emma Oats Extension Award and Home Economics Scholarship for Graduate School, the 4-H and Tennessee Environmental Educators Award for Environmental Programming and more.
Through its land-grant mission of research, teaching and extension, the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture touches lives and provides Real. Life. Solutions. utia.tennessee.edu.