Winrock International announced last week that Gary Wingenbach, a professor in the Texas A&M University Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications has been awarded a President’s Volunteer Service Award in recognition for his work with the Farmer-to-Farmer Program funded by the United States Agency for International Development.
The President’s Volunteer Service Award is a national honor offered in recognition of volunteer service.
Contributing more than 120 hours of volunteer service on international assignments in Bangladesh, Wingenbach demonstrated how local citizens can truly make a difference in today’s world. Wingenbach volunteered twice (November, 2017 and March, 2018) with the Farmer-to-Farmer Program, serving as an Agricultural Education and Training Specialist at Sylhet Agricultural University (SAU) and the International University of Business Agriculture and Technology (IUBAT)-College of Agriculture Sciences. The multi-week programs focused on strengthening SAU and IUBAT faculty members’ knowledge and skills in teaching, developing external partnerships, and enhancing research programs through student research projects and internships.
Established in 2003, the award is available on an annual basis to individuals, groups and families who have met or exceeded requirements for volunteer service and have demonstrated exemplary citizenship through volunteering. As one of thousands of Certifying Organizations participating in the Award program, Winrock International confers the award to recognize the outstanding achievements of its volunteers.
“Volunteerism is a core American value. It connects us to our neighbors, whether they are local or global, and gives us an opportunity to use our skills for a greater good,” DeAnn McGrew, director of agriculture and volunteer programs at Winrock said. “As a Certifying Organization for the award program, Winrock International is proud to be aligned with this prestigious volunteer award, and we are especially proud of our volunteers who have made volunteer service a central part of their lives.”
Wingenbach noted that SAU and IUBAT students are much like Aggies, all desire advanced knowledge, skills, and abilities that increase their competitiveness in the job market. The same enthusiasm and dedication for teaching and learning found at Texas A&M exists at SAU and IUBAT. Wingenbach said, “US and Bangladesh colleges of agriculture face the same grand challenge of feeding nine billion by 2050. Working together, I am confident we will meet that challenge.”
The President’s Volunteer Service Award is issued by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation, a group created by President George W. Bush to recognize the valuable contributions volunteers are making to our Nation. The Council comprises leaders in government, media, entertainment, business, education, nonprofits and volunteer service organizations, and community volunteering.
###
