Dr. Maurice Gipson has been a part of Concordia 4-H since 1993 and continues to serve important roles.

Dr. Gipson was President of a School Club for 5 years; served on Parish 4-H Leadership Advisory Council Board for 4 years; a youth trustee on the State 4-H Foundation Board and State 4-H Advisory Board for 1 year; served as Parish 4-H Junior Leadership President 2 years; presented programs to parish youth on CHARACTER Education; spoke with parish 4-H clubs in recruiting members to go to 4-H camp; gave speech in support of 4-H to Louisiana State Representatives and Senator’s in chambers at State Capital; Collegiate 4-H for 5 years at LSU; State 4-H President and is the 1st African American elected to serve; 4-H Congress Trip delegate; 4-H National Youth Leadership Conference Attendee; Good Provider Winner; National 4-H Congress Design Team Member; Parish Outstanding 4-Her (3 years); and Ferriday Junior High 4-H Leader (2 years).

His service to Louisiana 4-H has been invaluable. He conducted 4-H officer workshops for 3 years; provided leadership and served as a role model as a 4-H Camp and 4-H Challenge Camp counselor for 3 years; represented State 4-H Foundation Board and State 4-H Advisory Board through numerous speaking engagements in support of Louisiana 4-H; served as superintendent of an activity/session for 4 years at Elementary 4-H Achievement Day; served as MC for awards presentations and the song and yell and talent show at Elementary 4-H Achievement Day for 3 years; was selected by National 4-H Conference Program Director to introduce U.S. Secretary of State, Colin Powell as the speaker for the opening session at National 4-H Conference; served as a parish 4-H organizational leader at Ferriday Junior High for 2 years; served as an adult leader on Parish 4-H Leadership Advisory Council for 2 years; conducted Body Walk activity in teaching youth about the different parts of their body and their purpose (3 years); designed and set up 4-H project displays at Parish Health Unit and Concordia Parish Library; directed youth at Pet Show in up animals for the different categories and announced winners for each category; gave presentation to United Way board members and served as a liaison between Concordia 4-H and United Way to secure funds for Concordia Parish 4-H program (3 years); served as Superintendent for Parish Cookery Contest (3 years); delivered Christmas cards to each individual residents’ rooms at two nursing homes (180 residents).

Dr. Gipson’s true devotion has been recognized in many ways. He has been awarded several degrees and honors and achieved many major career accomplishments:

• Louisiana 4-H to National 4-H Conference delegate (Washington, DC)
• Club Congress award trip delegate -State 4-H Forestry records winner
• Parish Outstanding Senior 4-H Boy (3 years)
• Blue Ribbon (Forestry) - 4-H Short Course
• State Alternate Team (Horticulture Demonstration)
• 4-H Short Course; Blue Ribbon (Meat Identification Team)
• 4-H Short Course-2 Years
• State Winner 4-H Forestry Records
• Youth speaker representing Louisiana 4-H for LCES Director Jack Bagent’s retirement dinner.
• Bachelor Degree- Louisiana State University
• Doctoral Degree- Southern University Law School
• Current Assistant Vice Chancellor and Chief Diversity Officer at Arkansas State University
• Special Assistant to the Vice President for Diversity and Community Engagement at the University of Texas at Austin
• Assistant Director for Constituent Relations and Events (The University of Texas at Austin)
• Director of the Annual Fund (Wiley College)
• Director of Development (Huston-Tillotson University)
• Youngest Vice President in the history of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc
• Youngest member of senior leadership team for the University of Texas’ Division for Diversity and Community Engagement.

Dr. Gipson is a self- motivated individual who continues to strive to do his best regardless of the situation. He set goals for himself and puts everything in to reaching his goals. Dr. Gipson is an inspiration to our parish 4-H youth as well as regional youth in proving to the youth that you can do anything you put your mind to doing. Dr. Gipson was a great asset to the overall parish 4-H program and especially instrumental in serving in a leadership role at 4-H camp, Challenge camp and parish events. If there was ever a problem he was the first person that the 4-Hers would go to because of his trust and his willingness to provide help to them with any problem regardless of how small or big it may be. Dr. Gipson is a talented speaker and relishes the opportunity to speak before groups to tell his 4-H story and promote Louisiana 4-H.