MSU Extension 4-H

Sandra Clarkson Stuckman, of DeWitt, has been honored with the prestigious Michigan 4-H Citation Award at a ceremony on Oct. 3. Stuckman was recognized during the Michigan 4-H Legacy Awards Celebration hosted by Michigan State University Extension and the Michigan 4-H Foundation at the MSU University Club in Lansing. 

Michigan 4-H Citation Awards honor individuals and organizations whose multicounty, regional, state, or national contributions and support have significantly advanced the work of MSU Extension’s 4-H Youth Development. The contributions of honorees have expanded the capacity of Michigan 4-H to affect the lives of Michigan young people in positive, significant and meaningful ways. This award, given since 1946, is the highest recognition bestowed by Michigan 4-H Youth Development and is presented with support from the Michigan 4-H Foundation. 

Stuckman has been one of Michigan 4-H’s most devoted champions for more than four decades, contributing her time, talent, leadership and generosity to strengthen opportunities for young people across the state. As an honorary trustee of the Michigan 4-H Foundation and a member of the Beyond Ready Campaign Core Committee, she continues to provide thoughtful leadership, fundraising guidance and passionate advocacy in support of Michigan 4-H’s long-term success.

An Indiana 4-H alumna, Stuckman earned her bachelor's degree from Purdue University and later completed graduate studies at MSU. She joined MSU Extension as a home economics agent and went on to serve as a regional Extension director and the state leader for Michigan 4-H from 1991 to 1998. During her tenure, she helped establish the Michigan 4-H China Project and 4-H Children’s Art Exchange with China, which allow youth to explore another culture while communicating with their peers across the globe through visual letters. She also oversaw the opening of the Michigan 4-H Children’s Garden, a nationally recognized model for youth learning and engagement. In addition, she served as trustee and secretary of the Michigan 4-H Foundation Board of Trustees.

Following her service as state 4-H leader, Stuckman became MSU Extension’s director of diversity, helping advance diversity, equity and inclusion efforts across the organization. Even after retiring in 2002, she continued to serve as an Extension diversity facilitator and remained deeply involved in supporting Michigan 4-H.

Stuckman and her husband, Noel, have been dedicated leadership donors, campaign volunteers and advocates for Michigan 4-H. Through endowed gifts, campaign support and documented estate commitments, they have helped create a lasting legacy for future generations of young people. In recognition of her extraordinary contributions to 4-H, Stuckman was inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame in 2021, one of the organization's highest honors.

This Citation Award celebrates the enduring mark that Stuckman’s professional leadership, volunteer service and philanthropy will leave on Michigan 4-H and the young people it serves. Through her role on the Beyond Ready Campaign Core Committee, Stuckman is helping shape a legacy of opportunity, ensuring future generations of young people can benefit from the transformative power of 4-H.

Dr. Julie Chapin and Dr. Thomas Coon also received the Michigan 4-H Citation Award at the event. Other honorees recognized at the 2026 Michigan 4-H Legacy Awards Celebration included inductees into the 2026 class of the 4-H Emerald Clover Society, volunteers awarded the 2025 and 2026 Michigan 4-H Salute to Excellence Awards, volunteers awarded the 2025 and 2026 Michigan Farm Bureau Excellence in Agriculture Awards, 50-year 4-H volunteers recognized in 2025 and 2025, winners of the 2025 and 2026 MSU 4-H Scholarship, and 4-H staff retiring since 2024.

To make a donation in tribute of Stuckman or another awardee, visit https://mi4hfdtn.org/memorial-tribute-gifts/. For more information on the Michigan 4-H Citation Award and awardees, visit https://mi4hfdtn.org/4-h-emerald-awards/michigan-4-h-citation-award/. 

The Michigan 4-H Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization that supports Michigan 4-H Youth Development. For more information about the Michigan 4-H Foundation, visit www.mi4hfdtn.org. Michigan 4-H Youth Development is the youth-serving program of MSU Extension. More than 139,000 youth are involved in 4-H with the support of 11,000 volunteers. For more information about Michigan 4-H, visit extension.msu.edu/4h.