DATE:     9/28/98
WRITER:   Giles Singleton, (864) 656-3876    

Johnnie Hunnicutt Likes Change

     CLEMSON -- "Anything that helps us work smarter is good,"
said Extension budget analyst Johnnie Hunnicutt.
     For example, a new method of transmitting information
through data phone lines decreased the number of phone bills
Hunnicutt deals with from 50 to one. "That kind of change saves
money and work," she said.
     "Extension is all about change. The administration is
continually trying to ensure that the county offices and
specialists stay up-to-date, so they can offer the people of
South Carolina what they need."
     She added, "It can take a while to adjust to that, because
change can be hard. But it's worth it. I try to make the most of
it, and have a positive attitude."
     Hunnicutt maintains on-line budgets for all 46 county
Extension offices, coordinates all copiers and postage meters,
and researches possible new equipment for the offices. She also
offers training seminars as requested.
     Many people would cringe at the thought of keeping track of
so many numbers, budgets, and machines, but Hunnicutt thrives.
     "I like numbers," she said. "That helps."
     Every day is interesting, and each phone call brings 
something different. "For example, the other day a lead secretary
called. Somehow they were showing a several thousand dollar
deficit when they thought they had a few thousand dollar
surplus."
     Hunnicutt looked into the computer system and found that a
copy of an expense invoice had been sent and mistakenly treated
as an additional expense. "These things can be reversed," she
said.
     "I like accounting on the computer," she added. "One reason
is we can see the problem and fix it. The Clemson University
system has all we need."
     Carolyn McGaha, lead secretary in the Kershaw County
Extension Office, said, "When I first joined the Extension family
four years ago, I would dread those  Hello, this is Johnnie'
calls. I just knew I had done something wrong, and often I had. I
have since learned that Johnnie is one of the most helpful
associates within our organization. I appreciate her guidance,
her endurance, and, most importantly, her friendship."
     Hunnicutt loves her job. "This is one of the best jobs in
Extension. The best part is I get to work with the county
offices. I'm very fortunate to be able to do that."
     One of her favorite work activities is sitting down with a
secretary and letting her go into the mainframe and see what's
there.
     "If they're not afraid of computers, once they see what they
can actually pull up, they say,  This is fun, this is exciting. I
can do this.' "
     Hunnicutt also uses E-mail and the telephone to assist
people in the county offices. She said, "On the phone, I can tell
by their voices if they understand."
     A couple of years ago she started Countdown, an electronic
newsletter for county directors and lead secretaries that lets
them know about deadlines for the end of the fiscal year, new
information from Accounts Payable, instructions on new procedures
and general fiscal information like the recent changes in the
mileage rates.
     When it is time to buy a new type of equipment for all 46
counties, Hunnicutt researches to see if the item is actually
needed.
     "Then I offer several choices for that item and make
recommendations on which are the best," she said.
     Bill Blackston, director for the Richland-Lexington Cluster
said, "Johnnie's one of the most fun people to be around I know. 
The word  jovial' comes to mind, even though, in my opinion, she
has one of the toughest jobs around. Johnnie helps you find
solutions and answers; she makes situations work out."
     "Whatever it is, Johnnie can always help us fix it," said
Alice Campbell, director for the Chester, Lancaster, Union and 
York Cluster. "Her response is immediate; she gives us excellent
information, and the steps to get it into action and make it
work."
     It is not surprising that in 1997, Hunnicutt won Extension's
Outstanding Service Award for her service, dedication, and
innovation.
     Michael J. Simmons, project administrator, nominated
Hunnicutt for the award. "Johnnie is exemplary in every way. She
goes out of her way to make the people in the county offices know
they are very much a part of Clemson University."
     Hunnicutt has been with Extension since 1981, but she has
been at Clemson since  67, first with civil service for on-campus
Army ROTC, then with the farms department, which is now Ag
Support and part of the Agriculture and Forestry Research System.
In Extension, she worked in the Ag Service Lab and the Pee Dee
District office before coming to Ag Business a few years ago.
     Most people this busy might not have a home life, but
Hunnicutt excels there as well. Her family consists of her
husband, two grown children and a granddaughter.
     "My daughter works at Anderson Hospital," she said. "And my
son is about to go back to China to teach conversational English
to Chinese university students. I'm hoping I get to go for a
visit this time."
     She enjoys several hobbies. Saving the day lilies from her 
sister's home business was a hobby at first, but now it has
become a second business she shares with her husband, Dan, who is
an agricultural technician in herbicide research in Clemson
University's Agronomy Department.
     Hunnicutt explained his work: "He plants weeds to see how
good he is at killing them."
     She walks three to four miles a day, collects cookbooks, and
loves bookstores and books in general.
     "But," she said, "my most favorite hobby is my granddaughter.
She was born on Mother's Day in 1994. I can't think of a better
Mother's Day present."
                              END