Bumpers College Assistant Dean Edgar Earns Winrock International President's Volunteer Service Award

Russell Cothren

Leslie Edgar, Bumpers College assistant dean for student programs

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Leslie Edgar, assistant dean for student programs in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas, is a recipient of the President's Volunteer Service Award from Winrock International.

Edgar is one of 125 recipients nationally. The award was established in 2003 to recognize individuals, groups and families for exemplary citizenship and volunteer service.

Edgar contributed approximately 300 hours of volunteer service on international assignments for Winrock's U.S. Agency for International Development-funded Farmer-to-Farmer Program in Bangladesh. As assistant dean for student programs, Edgar oversees the Bumpers College's Office of International Programs and the Honors Program, among other duties.

Edgar and Bumpers College graduate student Bo/David Williford worked as a team with faculty at the International University of Business, Agriculture and Technology to build agricultural communication curriculum as part of the Farmer-to-Farmer Program. The volunteer effort also focused on assisting the International University with developing new recruiting strategies for rural youth in Bangladesh. Edgar and Williford also worked with Agricultural Training Institute teachers on developing stronger secondary education skills.

Winrock volunteers work with farmers, businesses, organizations and governments worldwide on short-term assignments, sharing experiences, expertise and improving lives.

"Volunteerism is a core American value," said DeAnn McGrew, director of agriculture and volunteer programs at Winrock. "It connects us to our neighbors, whether they are local or global, and gives us an opportunity to use our skills for a greater good. As a Certifying Organization for the award program, Winrock International is proud to be aligned with this prestigious volunteer award, and we are especially proud of our volunteers who have made service a central part of their lives."

The awards are issued by the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation, a group created by President George W. Bush to recognize contributions volunteers make to the nation.

Winrock International traces back to a charitable endeavor by Winthrop A. Rockefeller at his ranch on Petit Jean Mountain near Morrilton. Winrock International Livestock Research and Training Center was created to improve animal agriculture. In 1985, it merged with the Agricultural Development Council (A/D/C) and the International Agricultural Development Service to form Winrock International Institute for Agricultural Development (Winrock International). Now headquartered in Little Rock, Winrock focuses on innovations in agriculture, the environment, clean energy and leadership development.

About the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences: Bumpers College provides life-changing opportunities to position and prepare graduates who will be leaders in the businesses associated with foods, family, the environment, agriculture, sustainability and human quality of life; and who will be first-choice candidates of employers looking for leaders, innovators, policy makers and entrepreneurs. The college is named for Dale Bumpers, former Arkansas governor and longtime U.S. senator who made the state prominent in national and international agriculture.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.