Epsilon Sigma Phi invites you to a live-streaming event on October 2, 2018. Register today to receive connection information.
On Tuesday, October 2nd you are invited to experience two significant events at the upcoming 2018 National ESP Conference through a live-streaming event. Two speakers will be streamed to our membership and colleagues as part of our professional development mission.
At 10:00 am central time the opening keynote address with Jim Richardson, a photographer for National Geographic Magazine will be broadcast.
At 12:15 pm central time Chancellor Tim Cross, University of Tennessee, will present the Distinguished Service Ruby Lecture titled "To Every Extension Program There is a Season".
Register for this event and a link will be provided to you before the presentations. Read on for more information on these two presentations.
Jim Richardson
National Geographic Magazine Photographer
Jim Richardson is a photographer for National Geographic Magazine and a contributing editor for its sister publication, TRAVELER Magazine. Richardson has photographed more than 30 stories for National Geographic.
Richardson's work takes him around the world, from the tops of volcanic peaks to below the surface of swamps and wetlands. ABC News Nightline produced a story about the long process of assembling a National Geographic coverage by following Richardson in the field and at National Geographic Society headquarters in Washington, D.C.
In addition to his color photography, Richardson has built a distinguished body of black-and-white documentary work about rural Kansas life. His audiovisual presentation, “Reflections From a Wide Spot in the Road,” has toured internationally. A 22-page story about his 30 years of photographing life in the north central Kansas town of Cuba, population 230, was published in National Geographic and featured twice by CBS News Sunday Morning, most recently in May 2004. His 1979 study of adolescence, “High School USA,” is now considered a photo essay classic and is used in college classrooms. He was named Kansan of the Year in 2007 by the Native Sons and Daughters of Kansas.
Richardson speaks nationally and internationally. He lives in Lindsborg, Kansas, where his work is featured at his gallery, Small World, on Lindsborg’s Main Street.
2018 Distinguished Service Ruby Recipient
Chancellor Tim Cross, University of Tennessee, Omega / Tennessee
Epsilon Sigma Phi’s most prestigious level of recognition, the Distinguished Service Ruby award, is designed to recognize outstanding leadership, innovative thinking and sustained exceptional performance across a lifetime of career service in Extension. It is a great honor to recognize Dr. Tim Cross, Chancellor-University of Tennessee, Institute of Agriculture, as the 2018 Epsilon Sigma Phi Distinguished Service Ruby award recipient.
Dr. Ann Berry, past ESP National President stated that, “the Tennessee Omega Chapter is honored that our Chancellor, Dr. Tim Cross, is this year’s recipient of this prestigious award. Dr. Cross is humble and was reluctant to let us submit his nomination. But we knew that he truly deserves this recognition. He has made significant contributions at the state, regional, national and international levels in extension outreach throughout his career.”
Over the past 30 years, Dr. Cross has served as an instructor, professor, Extension specialist, Dean and Chancellor. He continues to be recognized nationally as an outstanding administrator and dedicated leader. Dr. Cross earned both B.S. and M.S. degrees in Agricultural Economics from Oklahoma State University, and his Doctorate in Agricultural and Resource Economics from Oregon State University. His many opportunities for service include serving on the National Impact Database Committee, the Joint Committee of ECOP and ESCOP, National Extension Committee on Policy, APLU Board on Ag Assembly, and the Tennessee Governor’s Rural Task Force and Health Committee. Dr. Cross established a strategic plan that has improved statewide Extension branding, implemented a peer mentoring program, developed professional development training for faculty and agents, and provided a healthy lifestyles program for all Extension employees. Through his leadership, grant and other funding, as well as endowments to the Tennessee Extension program increased significantly. His teaching, publications and economic expertise have had significant influence at a national level, as well as internationally through foreign assignments to Croatia, China, Hungary and North Yemen.
Dr. Cross has been actively involved in Epsilon Sigma Phi since 1996 and served as the Tennessee Omega Chapter Vice-President from 1998-2000. He has financially supported ESP scholarship efforts and has presented at national ESP conferences as part of the Administrator’s Panel. His colleagues have described him as “committed, engaging, reliable, kind, supportive, humorous, knowledgeable, and a fantastic communicator”. It is an honor for the 2018 Epsilon Sigma Phi Board of Directors to present
Dr. Tim Cross as the 2018 Ruby recipient for Distinguished Service. It is well deserved and his significant efforts on behalf of Extension are very much appreciated!
