PEOPLE & PLACES

　　本會顧問 Nina Chen 博士得到美國密蘇里州人文發展的最高榮譽獎，她專業從事於社區問題的解決方案，此為其得獎新聞稿，是不可多得的人道學者。

　　Nina Chen, a human development specialist with the University Outreach and Extension Center of Jasper County, received the organizations top 1999 statewide award for faculty, The Executive Vice President's Award for Outstanding Achievement in Outreach from Ron Turner, University Extension and Outreach director.

　　Cutline: Nina Chen, Carthage, (right) receives a state award on Oct. 25 from Ron Turner, University Extension and Outreach Director.

　　“Dr. Chen's educational programs reach diverse audiences in southwest Missouri with a variety of subject matter, including parenting, communication, character and child development,”Turner said.

　　One particular program, Building bridges, brings Jasper County senior citizens and school children together to promote intergenerational understanding. Through community collaboration with agencies, schools and nursing homes, more than 1,000 young people and 750 elderly have participated in the program. For young people, Building Bridges provides greater awareness of aging and develops a sense of caring and respect for the elderly. The lives of seniors are invigorated by interaction with a younger generation.

　　Chen led a county-wide group in 1997-98 to produce a storytelling festival. The festival drew several hundred citizens and featured 25 storytellers. In an evaluation, more than 75 percent of the participants said the festival provided them with broader views about diverse cultures and increased their understanding of history, heritage and literature.

　　Dorothy Shull, a member of Jasper County Extension Council, said“Nina has extraordinary talents and expert abilities to work with many types of people and include a wide variety of organizations to bring about wonderful action programs for the benefit of southwest Missouri citizens.”