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CORVALLIS - Roger Rennekamp has been named 4-H program leader for the Oregon State University Extension Service and head of the Department of 4-H Youth Development Education in the OSU College of Education.

Rennekamp, who began his duties July 1, brings 26 years of experience with 4-H youth development programs to his new position.

Lillian Larwood, OSU Extension assistant 4-H program leader and department head, has been interim program leader since December 2004.

Rennekamp will provide overall leadership for OSU Extension's youth education program, which last year saw more than 100,000 young people participating under the direction of about 6,000 volunteer adult leaders. He succeeds Jim Rutledge who retired.

Rennekamp's responsibilities include statewide leadership for Oregon's 4-H program, department administration, fiscal management and policy development. He will also provide program oversight for the Oregon 4-H Conference and Education Center.

The new Extension leader comes to OSU from the University of Kentucky, where he was an Extension specialist in program and staff development for several years. He began his Extension career with the University of Kentucky in 1979 when he started out as a county Extension agent for 4-H youth development. He received his doctorate from Ohio State University in 1987.

Rennekamp is co-chair of the National 4-H Professional Development Task Force and is a past chair of the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents' Professional Improvement Committee.

His research interests are in the area of youth engagement and community youth development.