Three women stand with one man on the far right. They are wearing business casual clothes and posing for the camera. The second woman on the left is holding a purple box. — Damona Doye, Susan Rose, Debbie Sharp and Claude Bess celebrate Rose's OSU Extension Heart of Extension Award. (Photo by Mitchell Alcala, OSU Extension)

OSU Extension names Heart of Extension honorees

Thursday, December 12, 2024

Media Contact: Gail Ellis | Editorial Communications Coordinator | 405-744-9152 | gail.ellis@okstate.edu

Oklahoma State University Extension staff members Lisa McRay, Susan Rose and Andrea St. John are recipients of the 2024 Heart of Extension Award.

The three employees were honored at OSU Extension’s Administrative Support Conference Awards Luncheon in October. The accolade is a newly established tradition within the organization that celebrates OSU Extension support staff and recognizes their years of service.

“Support staff are instrumental in keeping things running smoothly in the county, district and state offices, and we rely on them to be a positive first impression with clientele,” said Damona Doye, associate vice president of OSU Extension.

The Heart of Extension Award is selected through a nomination process. The award’s first group of recipients were three OSU Extension educators who were honored at the 2024 Biennial Conference in January.

Doye said the award’s success generated interest in expanding recognition to support staff who are critical to the mission of OSU Extension. Recipients receive a $200 stipend and a crystal engraved cube paperweight to display in their office.

Lisa McRay, LeFlore County administrative support specialist

McRay’s career with Extension began in 1993 as the secretary for the organization’s poultry specialist, and she held several positions before joining the LeFlore County team.

McRay is known for being courteous and respectful to clientele. She is a problem-solver and over the years has learned what resources are available to assist clientele quickly.

“Lisa has a reputation for being reliable, hardworking and deeply passionate about Extension’s purpose,” said Liana Jones, LeFlore County Extension agricultural educator. “She has a natural talent for finding innovative solutions to challenges.”

A group of four women and one man on the far right pose for the camera. The third woman from the left is holding a purple and white box. — Liana Jones, Donna Kates, Lisa McRay, Damona Doye and Claude Bess celebrate McRay's OSU Extension Heart of Extension Award. (Photo by Mitchell Alcala, OSU Agriculture)

McRay also takes initiative, adapts well to new policies and procedures, stays up to date on technology and is a master at organization.

“Teamwork is important to Lisa, and she is instrumental in helping all the staff brainstorm to think through events and activities. She then jumps in to help with the details,” said Danette Russell, LeFlore County Extension director and family and consumer sciences/4-H educator. “She is efficient in her work and has done a great job of reorganizing the office. Lisa is quick to begin new tasks as soon as possible and follows through to completion.”

Susan Rose, Southeast District Office administrative support associate

Rose has worked for 34 years in the OSU Extension Southeast District Office. Debbie Sharp, Murray County Extension family and consumer sciences/4-H educator, said Rose is patient and understanding when answering questions. She will take the time to stop what she is doing to find the answer or solution to a problem.

“One of the notable ways Susan impacted Murray County was when she temporarily served as the county’s administrative support specialist for almost 9 months,” Sharp said. “Susan took the time to leave her post in the district office to come and teach the Murray County staff what needed to be done and how to do it. She was a lifesaver and even taught us a few tips we can implement to make our office run smoother.”

A group of three women and one man on the far right pose for the camera. The woman second from the left is holding a purple box. — Damona Doye, Susan Rose, Debbie Sharp and Claude Bess celebrate Rose's OSU Extension Heart of Extension Award. (Photo by Mitchell Alcala, OSU Extension)

Rose also conducts the Southeast District administrative support specialist in-service and works hard to ensure the information presented is relevant, up-to-date and applicable to each county office. She is on a first-name basis and has a relationship with all support specialists in the district.

“Susan takes a personal day off from work each year to come to the Murray County fair and blood-test poultry entries,” Sharp said. “It is hot, dirty and a very long day, but she helps us with a smile and expertise. This isn’t something she has to do, but she does it to help us and to teach others.

“Susan is loyal, honest, extremely dependable and the ‘cog’ that keeps our Southeast District Extension wheel moving.”

Andrea St. John, Rogers County administrative support specialist

St. John has been employed with Rogers County Extension since July 1986.

“Andrea’s dedication to service is second to none,” said Donna Patterson, Rogers County Extension director and ag/4-H educator. “She is always pleasant and helpful no matter who calls or walks in the door. Clients often comment how they love coming into our office because Andrea is so sweet, and they feel welcomed.”

Three women pose for the camera. The woman in the middle is holding a purple box. — Donna Patterson, Andrea St. John and Damona Doye celebrate St. John's Heart of Extension Award. (Photo by Mitchell Alcala, OSU Extension)

Patterson noted that St. John is an essential member of the Rogers County Extension office. She is willing to assist in all program areas and is often asked to help train other county administrative assistants.

“Andrea also exemplifies initiative and promptness,” Patterson said. “She plans weeks in advance for financial audits or civil rights reviews, making it very efficient for district or state staff to get their reviews done.

“I often say that I have the best administrative assistant in the state, and this award is my chance to show Andrea how much we appreciate her.”