Dr. Alan Snider gave over 32 years of his professional life to 4-H. He was an Ohio 4-H member, a Michigan 4-H Youth Agent and a 4-H Specialist in Michigan and Oregon. In 1985, Snider was appointed PA State Program 4-H Leader. He published the article ” Land Grant University System and 4-H: a Mutually Beneficial Relationship of Scholars and Practitioners in Youth Development”. His paper, ” Volunteers Strengthen the 4-H Program,” was used in the national TAXI curriculum. To address expanded tobacco use in PA by youth and adults, Alan partnered with Fox Chase Cancer in Philadelphia and secured a major grant from the PA Dept. of Health from 1993-97 to develop community coalitions for Tobacco Free Youth.
Under Dr. Snider’ leadership, the Tobacco Free Youth partnership worked with Extension Educators and Community leaders in over 19 PA counties. Snider conducted two Satellite Video Conferences: “Youth Access to Tobacco in Your Community” and “Planning for Tobacco Control.” He retired from Penn State in 1997, but has continued to work with youth programs and tobacco prevention. In 2007, Snider worked with the Director of Design & Construction at Penn State to remove smoking in Beaver Stadium, the home of Penn State football games. With two years of implementation in 2009, the effort was a success. During home games, 105,000 fans can now experience smoke free games.
