DATE:    7-29-96
CONTACT: Pam Ardern, (803) 478-2105 
WRITER:  Susan Bedingfield, (864) 656-3876

For Pam Ardern, Dedication Means Seven Days a Week

     CLEMSON -- For most people, the work week ends Friday. But
for Pam Ardern, weekends don't necessarily mean the end of her
obligations.
     "Pam is totally unselfish with her time," said Jorge
Calzadilla, director of the South Carolina 4-H Leadership Centers
and Ardern's supervisor. "She is always available -- no matter
what day of the week it happens to be."
     Ardern serves as coordinator of program development at the
South Carolina 4-H Leadership Centers. "When you're working with
youth -- especially at-risk youth -- you can't stop just because
it's Friday," she said. "Sometimes you're needed on weekends,
too."
     That kind of dedication and displine shows in every aspect
of Ardern's work, Calzadilla said. "Pam is wonderful. She is
professional and a team builder. The kids really respond to her,
and she's a real role model." 
     Stephanie Jackson, one of Ardern's former 4-H'ers from
Sumter County, agrees.
     "She was a wonderful role model because she was devoted to
what she was doing. Pam was always there for us. She was like a
second mom. She took several kids into her home when they needed
a place to stay because of problems they were having at home."
     Ardern's displine and dedication is evident in every aspect
of her life, according to her friend, Clemson Extension
specialist Deborah Thomason.
     "Pam is the most disciplined person I know. She sticks to
her exercise regiment, her Bible study and everything she sets
out to do. She drives to Clemson once a week to take classes for
her doctorate. You can't enjoy a challenge the way she does and
not be disciplined."
     Ardern came to South Carolina from Oklahoma 10 years ago.
She worked in Sumter County for seven years as the county's 4-H
coordinator. She has spent the last three years working for the
leadership centers, where she has developed the marine, aerospace
and clothing camps. She recently helped develop the Outdoor Youth
Development Program in cooperation with the state Department of
Juvenile Justice.
     Rowland Alston, Ardern's supervisor from Sumter County, said
she is a supervisor's dream. "She was energetic and creative.
As she went about her duties, she gained the respect of parents
and youth alike because they recognized her leadership ability
and love of her job."
     Although she has worked with all kinds of kids, she enjoys
working with at-risk children most. 
     "I always wanted to work with kids. I was a former 4-H'er,
and working with Extension just seemed natural. Extension gives
me the flexibility to develop programs that meet the needs of my
clients. I work with these kids -- not just provide a service for
them."
     When she left Sumter County, Ardern took her work ethic and
dedication with her, and it's paying off for the leadership
centers.
     "Before Pam came on board the centers were perceived to be
more of a service and didn't provide programing," Calzadilla
said. "With her help, we provide programming now to other
agencies, like the state Department of Juvenile Justice."
     For her hard work, Ardern has received awards that include
state and national level Extension achievement awards. She was
also the recipient of a Department of Agriculture award, which
landed her in Zimbabwe Africa for two weeks working with youth.
     And yet, it's not the awards she takes pride in. Ardern says
her greatest accomplishment is touching children's lives.
     "The most rewarding program I have worked on so far has been
the Outdoor Youth Development Program. With this program, I saw
the opportunity to really change the live of some of the kids in
our state," Ardern said. "Being at camp is like magic for these
kids. No one judges you; everyone is starting at ground level." 
     Not even the most dedicated employee can spend all her time 
at work. Ardern likes to snow ski and sail, and she tries to get
away once a year and enjoy time with her family.
     "I was very lucky. I have a great family, and we are very
close," she said. "Most of the kids I work with don't have the
slightest idea of how wonderful that can be. I try to give a
little of that feeling back to them."
          		END