Distinguished Alumni Tony Carrell
Tony Carrell (B.S., Agricultural Education, 1984) has devoted his career to developing education and leadership in youth. Since 2012, he has been a Purdue Extension Specialist in 4-H Youth Development in the Indiana 4-H office.
In that role he oversees statewide non-animal projects, career development events, awards and recognitions, staff development, and other programs. He also coordinates and organizes the 4-H Roundup, which attracts 500-600 youth and adults each year. And each year, he manages around 70 exhibit hall staff and 9,000 exhibits at the Indiana State Fair.
After earning his B.S., Carrell returned to his alma mater and taught agriculture at Southmont Jr-Sr High School from 1984 to 1986, and then taught agriculture at Mooresville High School from 1986 to 1996. While teaching, Carrell grew the agriculture program from 45 students to more than 100, mentored two student teachers, was named District VIII outstanding agriculture teacher, earned the Honorary Hoosier FFA Degree, and served as Indiana Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association (IVATA) President. Mooresville’s agriculture program was the first in Indiana to receive summer school supervised agriculture experience (SAE) funding. He earned his M.S. in Vocational Education from Purdue in 1988.
Carrell accepted a Purdue Extension educator position in 1996 where he provided oversight to the Boone County 4-H Youth Development program through 2012. In this role, he provided program management to youth and volunteers while collaborating with a number of community organizations to address youth development educational needs. Under Carrell’s leadership the community-based 4-H club and project program grew from 875 youth and 120 adult volunteers to 1,255 youth and more than 300 adult volunteers. As an extension educator Carrell served in several leadership positions including Indiana Extension Educators Association (IEEA) 4-H Section President, National Association of Extension 4-H Agents North Central Region Director and Vice President of Finance and Operation. He also earned the IEEA Bob Amick 4-H Award and the NAE4-HA Achievement in Service Award and Distinguished Service Award.
In his current role he served as National Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals President (2018-19). He was awarded the Purdue Extension Sharvelle Extension Specialist Award in 2021 and the NAE4-HYDP Meritorious Service Award in 2022.
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