Susan McCaskill Morgan served Cooperative Extension as 4-H Agent, Family and Consumer Science Agent, and served as EFNEP Extension Associate until her retirement. Susan and her sister and two brothers all served as Extension Agents and she and both brothers served as County Extension Directors. The McCaskill children grew up on a farm in Moore County and were very active in 4-H. All four siblings as well as Susan’s two children, Heather and Robert Hilton, are members of the NC 4-H Honor Club. Education was very important in this family. All four earned Bachelors and Masters, and one has a Doctorate. While enrolled in UNC-Greensboro, Susan learned first-hand that it is difficult to study and meet expenses to complete degrees, while working full time and raising a family. During the last 4-1/2 years of full-time employment, Susan recognized the high quality of work and outstanding abilities of the EFNEP Educators with whom she worked. As paraprofessionals, the difference between them and the Agents with whom they worked was that college degree. Upon her retirement in 2010, she and her husband, Thomas W. Morgan, established the Susan McCaskill Morgan EFNEP Professional Development Endowment in an effort to assist and encourage EFNEP paraprofessionals to seek an associate or bachelor’s degree at a college or university. Funds from the Susan McCaskill Morgan Endowment support EFNEP Educators in the Southeast District as they pursue higher education through formal course work. The amount of this scholarship is dependent on the availability of funds, with a minimum award each year of $500.

This year’s award winner is Cindy Rivenbark from Pender County!

When Cindy began with EFNEP and completed her initial training, she says, “she fell in love with learning more through the National Nutrition Certification Program (through Utah State Extension).” Since last fall, Cindy has completed six college classes at Cape Fear Community College with a “four-year pathway plan” to pursue an Associate of Arts and transfer into Nutritional Science at NCSU for a bachelor of science. Each semester she has taken two courses while maintaining excellence in her programming. As Cindy has shared, “I plan to become an FCS Agent here in Pender County. I want to help as many people as I can to live healthier and stay active wherever they are on their journey in life.” Her ongoing studies and dedication to her role not only enhance her skills but also inspire her program participants.

Within her county office and the EFNEP Region, Cindy is a team player and a leader. She knows programming comes from direct recruiting but also from those events that put her out in the community where she indirectly meets new potential partners and participants. She regularly participates in 4-H-led activities, region-wide events and food distribution events at local food pantries and hubs. She also provides regular updates to the local Board of County Commissioners and serves as an active member of the Burgaw Rotary Club.

Congratulations, Cindy!