Dr. Clarence J. Cunningham began 4-H at age 10 where his public speaking and leadership skills were learned in the local club and county 4-H organizations. From the sale of his grand champion steer at the 100th year of the Wayne County Fair he earned enough money to pay for his first year in college. He says the lessons he learned then resulted in the initiation of the Cunningham 4-H Leadership Development Endowment Fund in the mid-1990s. Today it awards grants annually to the Ohio 4-H Leadership Achievement winner and to two Collegiate Leadership scholarship winners who are former 4-H members continuing their college educations.
As an Extension educator at The Ohio State University, Cunningham taught courses and led or contributed to various programs. He was instrumental in starting the first 4-H horse show at the 1961 Ohio State Fair. He improved Ohio 4-H Conservation Camp by incorporating on-farm conservation experiences for campers. He retired as associate director, Ohio Cooperative Extension Service, where he was responsible for all personnel and budget issues. He taught and mentored hundreds of college students who are now leaders in Extension. He has taught program development graduate courses at several universities as well as a two-week 4-H course to Peace Corps volunteers going to Nigeria.
