News Release
July 5, 2007

Park County leadership group honors UW CES educator

Graduates of a Park County leadership program are honoring its founder by creating an endowment in her name and raising $150,000 to perpetuate the program.

Rhonda Shipp, University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service educator for Big Horn, Hot Springs, Park and Washakie counties, created the Park County Leadership Institute (PCLI) in 1996 that is held every other year. 

The goal of the Rhonda Shipp Leadership Endowment is to raise $130,000 for the endowment and $20,000 to finish work this year and leave cash for the future

“I’m speechless.  I am so totally overwhelmed and blown away by this that it is difficult to verbalize how much it means to me,” said Shipp. “To say I’m humbled and honored doesn’t do it justice. Someday I hope to find the words to tell my wonderful PCLI friends and Park County community how grateful I am.” 

The program involves classroom time and having students visit participating businesses across Park County to learn their operations. Graduates plan and develop the program for the next set of participants.

“Everyone who has ever been a part of PCLI or who has ever worked with Rhonda is amazed at her talents,” said Jay Otto, vice president of the PCLI board and chairman of the fundraising effort. “She is an outstanding educator, one of the best facilitators I have ever met, and simply a wonderful person to be around.”

The board has pledged $11,000, and the plan is to raise funds from alumni of the program, local businesses and foundations.

Otto said fundraising should be completed May 2008.

“PCLI is her baby – she was the initial creator, made the calls to put together the first board, and has carried the program through from day one,” noted Otto. Shipp has also started leadership institutes in Big Horn and Washakie counties.

Otto is a graduate of the fifth class, which convened in the fall of 2003 and graduated May 2004. He said he learned leadership skills but also how city and county government works, who key players are and about important organizations and agencies.

“My classmates have been a tremendous resource to me in my efforts including my present work in preventing substance abuse in the community,” said Otto, manager of the West Park Hospital Prevention and Wellness Office.

Otto volunteered to be on the steering committee for the next class after his, immediately putting to use skills gained in the institute. The committee is responsible for developing the brochure for the course, recruiting students, and identifying locations, speakers and trainers.

“This process happens each time,” said Otto. “Thus, graduates of one-year turn right around and become the implementers for the next class. This extremely innovative approach keeps the curriculum fresh and also fosters ownership of the institute by the graduates.”

On the Web: http://www.parkcounty.us/extension.htm

Contact: Steven L. Miller, Senior Editor
Phone: (307) 766-6342
E-mail: slmiller@uwyo.edu
Archived News Site http://uwadmnweb.uwyo.edu/UWAG/news.asp

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