DATE: 9/10/07

CONTACT: Della Baker, (864) 656-5818; dbaker@clemson.edu

National ESP Convention set for Sept. 10-14

CLEMSON -- Della A. Baker is serving as the President of Epsilon Sigma Phi (ESP), a national organization that fosters standards of excellence in the Extension System and promotes development of the Extension professional and profession. South Carolina is hosting the National ESP Convention this year at the Francis Marion Hotel in Charleston Sept. 10-14.

Baker is the State Program Leader for Evaluation, Accountability, and Staff Development for the Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service. She led the ESP organization in the development of its five year strategic plan and has instituted measures to make the organization more accessible to its over 7,000 members. She instituted an e-mentoring process and was successful in recruiting leaders of the healthiest state chapters to serve as volunteer mentors to other chapters. State chapter leaders and members are engaged through electronic program delivery and conferencing. She said that her major goal this year was to “assess the organization for accountability in leadership.” Using feedback from a 360 ° leadership competency tool, she was able to compile information that will be useful in decision-making to build a stronger organization.

Baker is a recipient of numerous awards and honors including the Alpha Phi Chapter of ESP Visionary Leadership Award, the ESP State Professionalism Team Award, the SC Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Outstanding FCS Professional Award.

Baker received her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, an M.Ed. in Instructional Media from the University of South Carolina, and a B.S. in Home Economics Education from Winthrop College, now Winthrop University.

Almost 300 delegates from 47 states are expected to participate in this year’s conference in Charleston. The SC Planning Committee will host them during a special “Welcome to South Carolina” event planned for Tuesday night, Sept. 11 at the South Carolina Aquarium, featuring foods from the “low-country.” This year’s theme is “Bridging Strengths of People and Nations.” Three outstanding and dynamic keynote speakers have been invited. D r. David Sammons, director of International Programs, University of Florida, will address globalization within our local communities; Dr. James F. Barker, President of Clemson University will address, higher education and globalization; and Denise Ryan, Firestar, will present a session on Building Better Bridges - Improving Your Communication Skills.

The Conference will feature 25 Professional Development Seminars and Workshops and a number of Poster Presentations. A two part pre-conference, “Leadership: Progressing through the System and Scholarship in Extension,” will be held on Monday, Sept. 10, from 1 - 9:00 p.m.

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