Arkansas

Dr. Stephen Schafer has joined the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service as director of development.

Schafer joined Extension after spending six years as dean of institutional advancement at Philander Smith College in Little Rock.

Raised in Minnesota, Schafer obtained a bachelor's degree in both philosophy and theology from Loyola University of the South in New Orleans. He received his master's degree in theology from the University of Toronto and holds a doctorate in theology, also from the University of Toronto.

"I was raised on a dairy farm in Minnesota and was involved in 4-H, so I've always known about the land-grant system and the Extension service," Schafer said. "I feel as though working for the U of A Extension just brings a nice symmetry to my life."

While development is a fairly new concept for Extension, Schafer said the giving opportunities are numerous. Gifts can be made to strengthen Extension's educational programs in community and development, agriculture, family and consumer sciences and 4-H.

For more information on Extension's giving opportunities, visit www.uaex.edu and click on "giving." The Cooperative Extension Service is a part of the U of A Division of Agriculture.

Date: 4/21/05