Director Receives Prestigious Award for Leadership of Colorado State University Cooperative Extension

Milan Rewerts, director of Colorado State University Cooperative Extension, received the Ruby Award Nov. 15 in recognition of his distinguished service to the organization.

The Ruby Award is given annually by Epsilon Sigma Phi, the national Cooperative Extension professional fraternity, to a director of one of the nation’s land-grant university Cooperative Extension programs. The award is the most prestigious award given by the organization.

"Milan’s skills as an administrator are well known within Cooperative Extension and throughout the university and community," said Kirvin Knox, recently retired vice provost for Agriculture and University Outreach and former dean of the College of Agriculture.

"Milan is an astute and perceptive administrator who surrounds himself with talented, committed and dedicated colleagues. The energy and creativity of the team have made Cooperative Extension a premier outreach unit of the university."

As director of Colorado State Cooperative Extension, Rewerts has consistently demonstrated innovative leadership and support for teamwork within the university. He began a statewide initiative to strengthen the organization’s structure and function for 2000 and focused the organization on addressing critical issues affecting the state.

Rewerts has spent his 35-year career with Cooperative Extension at Colorado State . His colleagues say his commitment to excellence, innovation and leadership exemplify his role as director.

Rewerts has received three additional distinguished service awards from the university during his career. He serves on several committees and boards, including the board of directors for the Colorado Agriculture and Rural Leadership Council, Colorado State Water Center and the Colorado 4-H Youth Fund.

Rewerts was originally scheduled to receive the Ruby Award in New York in mid-September, but national events postponed the award presentation until this week. The award was given to Rewerts in Fort Collins during the Cooperative Extension annual awards banquet.