2002 Illinois 4-H Alumni Awards
President
and CEO of America's Second Harvest Receives 4-H Alumni Award
Robert H. Forney, President and CEO of America's Second Harvest, has been selected as recipient of the 2002 Illinois 4-H Alumni Award for serving as a positive role model for youth.
Forney was honored during a state 4-H recognition reception at Krannert Center for the Arts on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus, Saturday, November 16. The annual state award credits 4-H alumni whose contributions to society exemplify leadership, success in their careers, and worthy community service.
As President and CEO of America's Second Harvest, the nation's largest charitable domestic hunger-relief organization, Forney directs a national network of over 200 regional food banks and food-rescue organizations that provide more than $2.3 billion in food and grocery products to 50,000 local charitable agencies that operate more than 94,000 food programs. These programs include food pantries, soup kitchens, women's shelters, and other local organizations that provide food assistance to more than 23 million hungry Americans each year.
Forney has held a number of executive leadership positions
throughout his career. Prior to coming to America's Second Harvest, he
was President and Chief Executive Officer of the Chicago Stock Exchange,
the most technologically advanced stock exchange in the country. Before
that, he held the title of Senior Vice President at Bricker & Associates.
Forney also held the titles of President and Executive Officer at Fortex
Technologies and Senior Vice President at Technology Solutions.
Forney earned his Bachelor's Degree in Accounting and Finance and an MBA
from Indiana University.
World
Renowned Baritone and Metropolitan Opera Star Receives 4-H Alumni Award
Sherrill E. Milnes, World renowned baritone, Metropolitan Opera Star, and Professor at Northwestern University's prestigious George Eastman School of Music, has been awarded the 2002 Illinois 4-H Alumni Award for serving as a role model for youth.
Milnes was honored during a state 4-H recognition event held at the Krannert Center of Performing Arts on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus on Saturday, November 16. The award recognizes 4-H alumni whose contributions to society exemplify leadership, success in their careers and worthy community service.
Milnes was reared on a dairy farm in Downer's Grove, Illinois. During his childhood, he developed strong musical talents and a remarkable voice.
His career in music began in 1960, when he joined the Boris Goldovsky Opera Company. Critics and audiences quickly recognized his musical gifts. Four years later, he made his first debut at the Metropolitan Opera. Since that time, he has appeared in major productions throughout the world, earning him much acclaim. He is hailed by many as one of the greatest baritones of all time.
National
and White House Correspondent Receives 4-H Alumni Award
Illinois 4-H has selected G. Robert Hillman, National and White House Correspondent for The Dallas Morning News, as a recipient of the 2002 4-H Alumni Award for serving as a role model for youth.
Hillman was honored during a state 4-H recognition reception held Saturday, November 16. The event was part of the 4-H Day activities on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus. This state award credits 4-H alumni whose contributions to society exemplify leadership, success in their careers, and worthy community service.
Hillman was an eight year member of the Flanagan Golden Harvestors 4-H club in Livingston County where he excelled in 4-H swine, gun safety, electricity, and entomology projects. He was active in 4-H livestock judging and public speaking contests. During his 4-H career, he served on the County 4-H Federation held the title of Livingston County 4-H Fair King.
Hillman's father, Glen, was a 4-H Leader for many years and his mother was a project leader for sewing. They were a 4-H family and continue to be lifelong supporters of the program.
After graduating in 1972 with a degree in Journalism and Communications from the University of Illinois, he began a career at the Chicago Sun-Times, where he held various leadership positions and earned a number of awards, including the 1981 Stick-O-Type by the Chicago Newspaper Guild for feature writing. He has covered six presidential campaigns and was a member of the morning news team that received the 1997 Katie by the Dallas Press Club for coverage of the Oklahoma City bombing trial of Timothy McVeigh.
Hillman credits 4-H in helping him achieve his career success. Throughout his 4-H involvement, he was able to pick up on the life skills that have lead to his many accomplishments.
Standardbred
Breeder Receives 4-H Alumni Award
Carl Becker, Owner of Fair Meadow Farm in Altamont, IL has been selected as recipient of the 2002 Illinois 4-H Alumni Award for serving as a positive role model for youth.
Becker was honored during the 4-H Day recognition reception at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts on the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana campus on Saturday, November 16. This award recognizes 4-H alumni whose contributions to society exemplify leadership, success in their careers and worthy community service.
Becker was a member of the Mound Prairie 4-H club in Effingham
County. Throughout his 4-H career, he showed the Grand Champion Barrow
at the Illinois State Fair in 1957 and was named Effingham County's "Outstanding
4-H Alumnus" in 1960. In 1984, he began the Standardbred 4-H project
in Effingham County, and has since provided over 50 foals to 4-H youth
for their projects.
Together, with his wife, Bonnie, they own the Fair Meadow Farm, which
is currently as Illinois' third leading breeder of Standardbred Horses.
Becker has been an announcer at numerous national horse events, including
major Standardbred Sales in North America and several state fairs. For
27 years, he has been the announcer at the "Red Mile" race in
Lexington, Kentucky. In addition, he was chosen to represent the USA as
guest announcer in Sweden, where he announced the Swedish Breeders Crown
Race and the Mitchebusi Cup.
He is a recipient of numerous awards, including the Governor Jim Edgar Award for thirty years of service to the Illinois State Fair in 1998 and the Grand Circuit Horseman of the Year Award at the Indiana State Fair in 1999. In 2000, he was elected into the Illinois Harness Racing Hall of Fame. Currently, he is the Chairman of the Board of Illinois Standardbred Owners and Breeders Association.
Becker and his wife, Bonnie reside in Altamont, Illinois.
Southeastern
Illinois College President Receives
4-H Alumni Award
Dr. Mary Jo Oldham, President of Southeastern Illinois College, has been awarded the 2002 Illinois 4-H Alumni Award for serving as a role model for youth.
Oldham was honored on 4-H Day, held Saturday, November 16
on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus. The award was presented
during the State 4-H Recognition program at the Krannert Center for the
Performing Arts. The award recognizes 4-H alumni whose contributions to
society exemplify leadership, success in their careers and worthy community
service.
Oldham began her career in education in 1964. She has taught Home Economics
Education and Early Childhood Development for thirty-two years - thirty-one
of which were spent at Southeastern Illinois College. In 1996, she became
the college's Vice President, and she is now in her third year as President.
Throughout her distinguished career, Oldham has received numerous recognitions. Her most recent awards include the National Institute for Staff & Organizational Development Medal of Excellence that was presented by the University of Texas and the Distinguished Alumni Award from Southern Illinois University.
Oldham and her husband, Larry Morgan, reside in Shawneetown, Illinois.
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