AMES, Iowa -- Three finalists have been named in the search for the next vice provost for extension at Iowa State University. They are Jack Payne, vice president for university extension at Utah State University, Logan; Frederick (Ted) Stilwill, director of learning for The Environmental Project, Coralville; and Linda Jo Turner, director of 4-H Youth Development programs for University of Missouri Extension, Columbia.
Open forums
Each finalist will visit campus for two days in November, and speak and answer questions at an open forum. The forums are from 3 to 4:30 p.m. in the Alliant Energy-Lee Liu Auditorium in Howe Hall.
The public also can participate in the forums via computers with broadband Internet connections. (See http://www.provost.iastate.edu/positions/vpext for details on how to participate in the forums online.)
The forum dates are:
- Nov. 8: Frederick (Ted) Stilwill
- Nov. 10: Jack Payne
- Nov. 17: Linda Jo Turner (cancelled, see * above)
Following is more information about each finalist. (Their full vitae are online at: http://www.provost.iastate.edu/positions/vpext-interview.html.)
Jack Payne
Payne has served as vice president for University Extension, director of the Utah Cooperative Extension Service, dean of Continuing Education and professor in the College of Natural Resources at Utah State University since 2001.
Payne oversaw the start-up of The American National Fish and Wildlife Museum, Springfield, Mo., serving as its first CEO and president (2000-2001). Prior to that, he spent 10 years with Ducks Unlimited, Inc., serving as national director and western states director of the private lands program (1990-1996), acting executive director of Ducks Unlimited de Mexico (1996-1999) and national director of conservation (1996-2000).
At Texas A&M University (1985-1990), Payne served as adjunct professor in a wildlife research institute and associate professor and extension wildlife specialist in the department of wildlife and fisheries sciences. He also was assistant professor and extension wildlife specialist at The Pennsylvania State University, University Park (1983-1985).
Payne earned a B.A. in biology from Temple University, Philadelphia (1969), and M.S. in fisheries science (1979) and Ph.D. in wildlife science (1983), both from Utah State University, Logan.
Ted Stilwill
Stilwill has served since August 2004 as director of learning for The Environmental Project in Coralville. The project will feature several ecosystems, and demonstrate the use of alternative and renewable energy as well as conservation and recycling strategies.
Prior to that, he worked for 16 years in the Iowa Department of Education, first as administrator of the elementary and secondary education division (1988-1995) and then as director of the department (1995-2004). As director, he had responsibility for the state's public and private K-12 schools, 15 community colleges and 12 area education agencies.
Before joining state government, Stilwill was a teacher and school administrator for Council Bluffs Community Schools (1970-1988). He started as an elementary teacher and served as assistant principal, principal and assistant director of curriculum and instruction for the district, before being named executive director of education services.
Stilwill earned a B.A. in psychology and sociology from the University of Iowa (1970) and M.S. in teaching from Drake University (1971).
Linda Jo Turner
Since 1996, Turner has served as director of Missouri 4-H youth development programs at the University of Missouri-Columbia. In that position, she has provided leadership for all aspects of the University of Missouri Extension's 4-H programs.
From 1994 to 1996, she was executive director of the Missouri Association of Community Task Forces, a nonprofit organization that served member communities.
For the previous 18 years (1976-1994), Turner served in a variety of positions for the University of Missouri, including area and state 4-H youth specialist (1976-1984), instructor of human development and family studies (1991-1992), and state 4-H youth development specialist (1985-1994).
She earned a B.S. in elementary education (1973), M.S. in recreation and park administration (1976) and Ph.D. in human development and family studies (1992), all from the University of Missouri-Columbia.
About the vice provost for extension
The vice provost serves as director of cooperative extension, which has programs in agriculture and natural resources, communities and economic development, families, and 4-H youth development. The vice provost also administers University Extension, which includes business and industry programs and continuing education and communications services that facilitate the delivery of off-campus credit and noncredit courses, conferences and continuing education offerings.
Vice provost for extension Stanley Johnson last spring announced his intent to retire this fall. A 20-member search committee is led by Mark Engelbrecht, dean of the College of Design. Engelbrecht said the committee's goal is to name the next vice provost for extension by year's end.