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(06/14/16) BATON ROUGE, La. – Sixteen people will be inducted as laureates of the National 4-H Hall of Fame, including a Louisiana 4-H leader who reshaped professional development efforts for extension agents and led an extensive revamping of camp facilities and programs.
Stanley J. Lamendola worked in extension for more than three decades and was the assistant director of Louisiana’s 4-H State Office when he retired from the LSU AgCenter in 1996. He and the other Hall of Fame laureates will be recognized at a ceremony on Oct. 7 at the National 4-H Youth Conference Center in Chevy Chase, Maryland.
Laureates are selected based on their contributions to 4-H, the nation’s largest youth development organization, which serves more than 6 million young people. The Hall of Fame was created in 2002.
“Dr. Lamendola’s passion for 4-H and positive youth development was displayed throughout his 33-year career with the LSU AgCenter,” said Mark Tassin, AgCenter associate vice president. “He believes 4-H provides the opportunities and challenges to develop youth into responsible and productive citizens. He has always set the example of how to work with individuals and bring everyone together for the betterment of youth and 4-H. His high energy and personality provide him immediate contact with anyone, and he still uses those contacts today to help 4-H.”
Growing up, Lamendola was a member of his 4-H Club in St. James Parish. He started his extension career as a 4-H agent in Avoyelles Parish and later held positions including community resource development agent, district agent and assistant director for field operations and 4-H youth development.
As assistant director, Lamendola sought to expand the use of Camp Grant Walker, the AgCenter’s 4-H facility in Pollock. He was in charge of remodeling the campgrounds and acquiring an additional 1.5 acres of land. The project added sidewalks, outdoor speakers and landscaping, and converted an old cafeteria into classrooms.
Lamendola was the first president of the Louisiana Association of Extension 4-H Agents, a position he used to organize improved staff development meetings. He also spent more than two years in Malaysia to establish agriculture and youth education programs.
Lamendola was inducted into the Louisiana 4-H Hall of Fame in 2010.
Other laureates to be inducted this year include Estella Almeida, New Jersey; Janet C. Burns Athanas, Alaska; Shirley R. Bond, Florida; James L. Byford, Tennessee; L. Ann Domsch, Kansas; Lila Jeanne Eichelberger, Illinois; Eddie L. Locklear, National 4-H Council; John L. Loyd, West Virginia; Steve Mullen, 4-H National Headquarters; Linda Gould Nierman, Indiana; Marvin Olinsky, Ohio; Nancy Hottle Scheerbaum, Pennsylvania; Wendy J. Stivers, Kentucky; William Viar, National Association of Extension 4-H Agents; and Kathleen E. Vos, Wisconsin.
Stanley J. Lamendola (LSU AgCenter file photo)
