Monday, May 17, 1999
	A century of service
	By Jean Cleveland This year marks the centennial of the public service and outreach program at the University of Georgia. As part of the observance, an invitational conference, attended by national and international leaders in public service, is planned for June. S. Eugene Younts, vice president for public service and outreach since 1972 and associate provost, is responsible for the university’s model outreach program. Columns discussed the past and future of public service with him. Columns: What is your philosophy of the university’s service mission? Younts: [President] Fred Davison issued a challenge to me to use the academic resources of the university to improve the quality of life in the state. That was it. But when you examine the statement it encompasses much. We speak to every human concern, even without a human medical school or an engineering school. That’s what this job is and that is what makes it exciting. Columns: What are some of the key building blocks? Younts: We have seen that each school and college has a coordinator. There is not another university in the country with this arrangement. All land-grant schools have an extension service, but cooperative extension makes up less than 50 percent of our outreach. That is our uniqueness. Administratively, the organization here gives public service and outreach a seat at the cabinet, a seat equal to instruction and research. That is so key. Service has to be recognized as an equal partner in the tripartite mission. Another key is that we have a faculty structure with a ranked professional ladder. Most universities have not developed this system of incentives and rewards for public service. We have 700 faculty members, including our county agents. This university has embraced public service and outreach. This university has said we are great enough and we are broad enough to accommodate everyone. That is a great attitude. Columns: How did the Hill Awards come into existence? Younts: No other member of the National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges offers significant awards for distinguished achievement in public service and outreach. The Hill Awards were initiated in 1992 by Tom Dyer and me when Tom was associate vice president. He’s a historian and recommended naming the awards for Chancellor Hill, who prized the idea that the university should reach out to the state it serves in the late 19th century. Each service unit nominates faculty members and service professionals. Each awardee receives a permanent salary increase and, in a competitive process, becomes eligible for appointment as the Walter Barnard Hill Public Service and Outreach Fellow, which is comparable to a distinguished professorship. Columns: Tell us about the fabled “new faculty tour.” Younts: We began the new faculty tour 23 years ago, and this idea has been copied by at least 18 universities. We average about 40 people each year from all across campus, and it has had an impact on the culture. They see the university at work all across the state. They see the connection. They develop an understanding of the love affair between the university and the people of the state. By the second or third day you begin to see the camaraderie that develops among people on the tour, people from all these diverse backgrounds. It is something that is uncanny. Each year I wonder, “Will this same interaction develop?” but it always turns out that way. This has had an immeasurable impact on this faculty. Most people do not know what to think of a county agent when they leave on the tour, but they come back with a high regard. Columns: Another first for UGA is a refereed journal for outreach activities. Tell us about that. Younts: We established the Journal of Public Service and Outreach three years ago and the University of Georgia is receiving much praise for this leadership among NASULGC institutions. It will become a hallmark of public service and outreach at UGA. Peter Magrath (NASULGC president) has an article on the “engaged university” in a special issue of the journal that will be published to coincide with the conference. Columns: UGA has had a long and profitable relationship with the Kellogg Foundation. How did that come about? Younts: In the early 1950s, the University of Georgia administration was successful in obtaining a grant to construct the first phase of the Georgia Center for Continuing Education from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Without a doubt the relationship with Kellogg has been long and strong for more than 40 years. The grant to expand the Center for Continuing Education was the largest grant the Kellogg Foundation ever made outside of Michigan. UGA also was the first center the Kellogg Foundation presented with a second grant. This year they are providing funds for us to invite 20 to 30 presidents of international universities to our conference. Columns: What does the future hold for the service program here? Younts: The future is very promising. I must brag on my presidents. I have been fortunate to work under four presidents and two provosts and they have been nothing but supportive. This summer, in addition to the national conference, we will be breaking ground for a building to house the J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership and Community Development and a plaza honoring Chappelle Matthews. That is set for Aug. 14, which was the birthday of Mr. Fanning, who was my mentor in addition to being the first vice president for service. The state has provided $4 million in funds and private sources $800,000. The Fanning building will be the first building in a public service complex honoring Mr. Matthews, who was a champion of higher education and his alma mater during his 27 years in the state legislature. This will be adjacent to the Treanor House, where the Fanning Institute currently is located, and near other major service units--the Georgia Center for Continuing Education and the Hoke Smith Building and Annex. Other service units, currently spread out over campus, will eventually be relocated to this complex. Grouping these units in the Matthews Complex will give greater emphasis and focus to our mission. So, the service program is thriving. As a celebration of 100 years, I want to say “Look! This university makes a big difference in this state.” This is a good time, as we go into the new millennium, to talk about how we are going to transition and what are the challenges going to be. I want people to come to the UGA campus and see this place!
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