Nadine Tope
State ESP Retiree Award

For seventeen years, Dr. Nadine F. Tope served the North Carolina Agricultural Extension Service, and the citizens of the state as a Foods and Nutrition Specialist.
Dr. Tope's commitment to Extension and strong rapport with agents across the state did not end with her official retirement. She is known as an expert in translating research findings into consumers' language. Her publications and media presentations are still circulated and widely used by Extension agents throughout North Carolina.

Since her retirement, she has continued as an active supporter of Cooperative Extension and the programs the organization carries out. Each year, Dr. Tope can be found at the North Carolina State Fair, assisting current Extension Specialists by serving as a judge, and food preservation expert for the food conservation entries and specialty competitions. Her tireless support for these home production activities and for Extension's role in these activities is admirable. She remains one of the few specialists in the U.S. with a vast food preservation scientific background. She is still frequently consulted on food preservation issues and home food equipment questions and graciously continues to provide 'on-the-spot' training for other specialists.

She is sought out as "the best" judge for 4-H food preparation presentations, and every July she can be found thoughtfully filling out the 4-H judging forms with constructive comments for the 4-Hers competing in the state food preparation presentations. She asks helpful questions of the participants, and encourages their best efforts. In this role, especially, she continues to mentor 4-Hers and Specialists alike. Her patience, and her generous expenditure of time and talent in continuing to develop the life skills of youth are admirable.

Dr. Tope continues her support for the organization and profession as a whole by her membership in the "Pacesetters" organization. This is an organization of retired Family and Consumer Scientists (and Home Economists) who have enjoyed careers in Extension, in Higher Education and in State Government. They are advocates and activists on behalf of strong North Carolina families and communities, and Dr. Tope shares their dedication.

In 2001, Dr. Tope's vision for a strong and continuing Family and Consumer Education Program within the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service was expressed in financial support and took on a tangible form. Through a very generous contribution from Dr. Nadine F. Tope, the Family and Consumer Education Program Development Endowment was made possible. This endowment provides awards to support development of outstanding programs by Family and Consumer Education Extension faculty, specialists and agents. The first 5 of these awards, for $1,500 each were presented at the Family and Consumer Education Agents' Association in August, 2001.

Dr. Tope's continuing commitment to the mission of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service through her vision, service, support, and the example she sets are outstanding. Dr. Tope demonstrates not only continuing vision, she helps to make that vision a reality through her significant and tangible contributions to enhance Extension. We wholeheartedly recommend Dr. Nadine F. Tope for the Epsilon Sigma Phi Retiree Service Award.