February 7, 2014
CONTACTS:
Brooke YoungSue Peyton
Administrative SpecialistTrustee
owa 4-H Foundation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
IOWA 4-H PIONEER TO CELEBRATE A CENTURY
His Head, Heart, Hands and Health have served him well for almost 100 years. C.J. Gauger, an Iowa 4-H pioneer, will celebrate his century birthday in early March and the Iowa 4-H Foundation is planning a birthday reception for this very special occasion.
C.J. Gauger’s 100th birthday reception will take place on Saturday, March 8, from 10:30 a.m. to noon, at Green Hills Retirement Community located at 2200 Hamilton Drive in Ames, Iowa. The Iowa 4-H Foundation organizers encourage anyone who has known Gauger during his lifetime of 4-H commitment to greet him personally during the century celebration.
Kris Fish Kuhlmann, Executive Director of the Iowa 4-H Foundation, said, “C.J. has had a profound influence on thousands of young people throughout his lifetime. In addition to the birthday reception, it would please him greatly to receive cards from anyone who has been associated with 4-H. Please include a short note detailing your4-H story and how it has influenced your life.”
Cards or donations to honor C.J.’s century birthday can be directed to the Iowa 4-H Foundation, Attn: CJ’s 100th, Extension 4-H Youth Building, ISU, Ames, IA 50011-3630 or made online at 4hfoundation.org. Gifts may be designated for the Iowa 4-H Center, State 4-H Conference, National 4-H Congress or National 4-H Conference, Scholarships, CJ’s “The Genius of 4-H” (4-H future) Endowment, or for any other 4-H program that has special importance to the individual or family making the gift.
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C.J. Gauger was born on March 6, 1914, in Giard, Iowa. His father was a Methodist minister whose pastorates took the family to several locations during C.J.’s youth. C.J. said his “real education” came from participating in 4-H for several years following his graduation and that’s when he realized a desire to attend Iowa State College. Gauger received his degree and taught high school agriculture for several years before serving his country briefly during World War II. After returning from service, he resumed teaching for a short time before being recruited for a county Extension agent position. In 1959, he became the State 4-H Leader of Iowa, a position he held until he retired in 1979. C.J.’s leadership was recognized nationally as he chaired a national 4-H policy committee and shaped the 4-H emphasis on life skills development in all audiences, rural and urban. C.J.’s belief in “the genius of 4-H” is so keen that he and his late wife, Dorothy, endowed a fund at the Iowa 4-H Foundation to help provide resources for future generations of Iowa young people to participate in experiential learning and development through 4-H.
“C.J. Gauger’s 100th birthday provides a unique opportunity for people in all 100 ISU Extension and Outreach counties to help us celebrate this wonderful milestone”, said Kuhlmann. “We hope 4-H alumni, current 4-H members, former and present leaders and staff will all join us in honoring this gentleman who has shaped the 4-H experience in such a positive direction. Even if some cannot attend the reception in person, we welcome your century cards and donations in C.J. Gauger’s honor.”
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The Iowa 4-H Foundation provides the private financial resources to develop and deliver quality 4-H youth programs throughout the state of Iowa. These opportunities help young people enhance their ability to use critical thinking, leadership, communication, and social skills – tools that will give them a competitive edge in their future endeavors.