Date: 8/09/04

Contact: Nancy Porter, 864-656-5718;

Editor: Susan Bedingfield, (864) 656-3876

Clemson Extension specialist on team that wins education award

CLEMSON – A Clemson Extension specialist is part of a team recognized by the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) with an Excellence in Extension Award for the Investing for Your Future program.

Nancy Porter, state program leader for Family and Consumer Sciences and an Extension family resource management specialist, received the award along with seven other team members during a recognition lunch held during the AAFCS Annual Convention & Exposition in San Diego .

The Excellence in Extension Award honors outstanding Extension programs that enable people to improve their lives and communities through learning partnerships.

“Receiving this national award is an honor,” said Porter. “It   acknowledges the excellent work of this team in developing and delivering a national Extension program.”

From beginners with small amounts of money to workers making decisions about their employer-provided retirement plans, the successful online and home-study program teaches the basics of investing. The program includes a 158-page course and study guide, a curriculum (PowerPoint® slides) for a six-week class series, a monthly investing e-mail for registered online users, and Web-based supplemental materials. The program is updated regularly to reflect changes in tax laws.

Other team members include Barbara O’Neill, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Patricia Brennan, Rutgers Cooperative Extension; Linda Kirk Fox, Washington State University; Connie Kratzer, New Mexico State University; Irene Leech, Virginia Tech; Jane Schuchardt, U.S. Department of Agriculture Cooperative State, Research, Education, and Extension Service; and Gerri Walsh, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

AAFCS is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing people together to improve the lives of individuals, families, and communities. AAFCS has more than 10,000 professional members who

develop, integrate, and provide practical knowledge about life skills such as financial literacy; child care and parenting; conflict resolution; consumer education; housing and environment; apparel and textiles; and dietetics and nutrition.

For more information on the program or to register see www.investing.rutgers.edu. For more information on Clemson Extension, go to www.clemson.edu/public.

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