2025 Friend of Extension award winner improves Tipton County through volunteering, creating connections
Purdue Extension presented Shelly Powell from the Tipton County Public Library with the 2025 Friend of Extension award at this year’s Purdue Extension Professional Development Conference, which took place virtually Dec. 3 and 5.
Powell’s official job title is marketing and communications, but her community knows her through the many ways she gives back. She supports many groups, including her county’s Extension Board and 4-H.
“She has been a champion for Extension for many years,” said Brian Howell, 4-H educator for Tipton County. “I don't think people realize how much their lives have been touched and improved by the work that Shelly does mostly behind the scenes.”
Howell first met Powell 19 years ago through 4-H. At the time, Powell didn’t know a lot about Extension, but she encouraged her children to get involved in the youth development program. She soon found herself as co-chair of 4-H Junior Leaders alongside Howell.
“It didn't take long to recognize she was someone I could call on to make things happen,” Howell said.
Powell’s support of Extension spreads to agriculture and natural resources (ANR) and health and human sciences (HHS) as well. She helps promote Extension programs throughout the community alongside her other volunteer positions. The result is more people come to events, which is “sometimes the biggest challenge in the work Extension educators do,” according to Eric Hillis, HHS educator for Tipton County.
“I can't imagine a Tipton County without Shelly. She’s had a positive effect on me, directing me through different challenges in life. She’s not only a coworker, stakeholder or supporter through work, she’s also a friend.”
- Diana Davis, ANR educator for Tipton County
Powell’s daughter, Maddie, agreed, “There’s never just an acquaintance. There’s always a friend.” She is thankful for her mother being a role model whose example led to her current role as the workforce readiness coordinator at the Tipton Boys and Girls Club.
“She was there alongside me the entire way,” Maddie said. “She instilled in me this love for community development and connecting people. She is such a good connector and networker.”
“It takes a person like Shelly that is selfless to get these jobs done,” Davis said. “You want to work with someone that has the greater good in mind, and that is always at the forefront of everything Shelly does.”
