Philip A. Seitz

Philip A. Seitz, an Ohio 4-H Alumnus, joined Michigan State University Extension as a 4-H agent in Saginaw County in 1972, and throughout the next 25 years of his Extension career in Extension leadership roles, and well beyond his professional career, he has served as a strong state, national and international advocate for Michigan 4-H. Phil’s strong belief in the power of 4-H youth programs to change children’s lives led to his introducing the 4-H concept to Polish youth and volunteers during his International assignment for U.S.D.A. and Extension in Poland in 1992-93. His advocacy led to development of the Michigan/Polish 4-H relationship that continues today with bi-annual reciprocal youth and youth development professional exchanges between Michigan and Poland 4-H youth and staff members. Phil has been a 4-H volunteer in Iosco County in retirement and continues to be a volunteer resource to the Michigan 4-H Challenge Program. He and his wife, Phyllis, are Cornerstone Society donors to the Michigan 4-H Foundation and continue their tradition of generous annual support for 4-H programs today. Phil served as the Michigan Council of Extension Associations trustee to the Michigan 4-H Foundation from 1988 to 1992, where he was an active member of the Kettunen Center Master Plan Task Force which resulted in the campaign that created the Mawby Learning Center at Kettunen Center to further advance 4-H use of the facility. He rejoined the Michigan 4-H Foundation’s Board in retirement in October 1998 and was elected president of the foundation board from 2006 to 2008. Phil also served as president of the Michigan Association of 4-H Youth Staff in the mid-1970s. +