As many of you have heard by now, Dr. Pam Ardern has recently retired from Clemson Cooperative Extension, where she served as the State 4-H Director. She has been the face of South Carolina 4-H for over 15 years and has dedicated her 36-year career to “Making the Best, Better.”
Dr. Ardern grew up on the family farm outside of Enid, Oklahoma. Her family is deeply rooted in 4-H, where both of her parents were 4-H leaders. Dr. Ardern and her siblings spent lots of time at 4-H events and began doing demonstrations at an early age. One demonstration she and her sister did was a present wrapping demonstration. One sister wrapped the present while the other handmade the bow. Additionally, both Dr. Ardern and her sister participated in sewing and cooking demonstrations while in 4-H. Dr. Ardern earned the title of State Home Management winner for the entire state of Oklahoma.
While growing up in 4-H, Dr. Ardern was able to build her Leadership and Citizenship skills. Dr. Ardern has a list of her own 4-H accomplishments, but one that most might not know about is participating on the state-winning meat judging team.
She was a delegate to National 4-H Congress and an Oklahoma 4-H Hall of Fame inductee.
Dr. Ardern went to Oklahoma State University where she majored in Home Economics Education and Housing Design and Consumer Resources. Upon completion of her undergraduate degree, she began working in Oklahoma as a 4-H Agent.
During her early years in her career, she was afforded the opportunity to travel abroad. While in Germany she taught school, traveled, and took cooking classes. She was able to visit a large portion of the countries in Europe and grew an affinity for traveling and seeing the world. After the completion of her time abroad, she settled into a 4-H Agent’s job in Sumter County, South Carolina. During this time she earned her master’s degree in Family Finance. Dr. Ardern began working with Family and Youth Development to create camp programs with youth and at-risk youth. Dr. Ardern earned her doctorate in Vocational Education with an emphasis in at-risk youth. Upon completion of her doctorate degree, she was hired as the State 4-H Director where she served in that role for 15 years.
Dr. Ardern is passionate about several things including 4-H, but one of her personal joys is worldwide travel. She has been to Germany, Africa, Israel, New Zealand, Canada (to see the Polar Bears), Peru, Galapagos Islands, Dominica, India, Russia, and many more. She plans on going to Australia and Antarctica in order to complete her goal of traveling to every continent. Another goal she has is to visit every national park in the United States. Fortunately, she already has a good start on those.
Dr. Ardern has made lasting impacts on 4-Hers, their families, and their communities. She knew the difference and impact the Green and White could have on a child. Dr. Ardern never missed an opportunity to serve 4-H in South Carolina. Dr. Ardern is the reason we still have 4-H in South Carolina, and because of her dedication, passion, and “not giving up” attitude, our 4-H program is growing and becoming stronger. No one knows the gratitude we ALL owe Dr. Ardern for stepping up to lead this great youth organization.
We would like to take this time to sincerely thank Dr. Ardern for all of her hard work through the years. We truly appreciate all that she has done for 4-H and wish her a happy and fun-filled retirement.
Submitted by: Lori Frager, Retta Miller, and Marie Bolt
