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A painting by local artist Carol Rodibaugh occupies a place of honor in Purdue Extension's Clinton County office. It's a colorful and intricate folk-art tree bearing the names of dozens of organizations and individuals whose support and volunteerism helped purchase and remodel the facility. According to County Extension Director Susan Tharp, the painting perfectly reflects the community effort that made it all possible.
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When Purdue Extension's Clinton County office asked local artist Carol Rodibaugh to create a painting that would recognize volunteers, the Purdue alumnus generously donated her time and talent. Rodibaugh used her trademark quilt theme to incorporate the blocks “Goodwill,” “Teamwork,” “Building” and “Hands All Around,” which reflect the community's support. |
When Purdue Extension partnered with the Clinton County Learning Network to purchase the building, county Extension board members were “absolutely essential” in securing funding from the county council, Tharp says. Money was tight, and it was a tough sell.
Board President Matt Neal, who had once left and then returned to the community, not only showed a skeptical council the number and range of businesses and industry that Extension served, he also spoke passionately on behalf of the community's younger families and their desire to live in a vital, growing place. “This is the future of our county,” he told the council. “ I'm the future, and I want this for myself and my family.”
Neal's heartfelt appeal likely saved the project: The council approved funding by one vote.
Volunteers then donated more than 1,600 hours of service to renovate the building. Extension board members continued to promote the project, offer advice, help secure resources and solve problems. When Tharp was sidelined by an unexpected month-long medical leave, board member Carol Price stepped up to manage the remodeling day-to-day. By October 2004, the building was ready and, according to Tharp, “has become an educational cornerstone in this community.”
Tharp credits her Extension board with hands-on support that has tipped the scales in Extension's favor on several other issues as well. “Our board members give their time and their talents in so many ways,” she says. And ever since their seemingly hopeless building project was salvaged, Tharp asks her Extension board president to deliver reports to the county council as often as possible.
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