By JUSTIN PEEPER
County fair officials recognized a plethora of 4-H’ers Saturday night, and they also took time to honor a familiar face who impacted countless lives during his four-decade career as an educator for 4-H.
Before the annual county fair awards ceremony began, Chad Captain, Wells County’s 4-H Association president, called Roger Sherer to the stage.
“We are going to honor a person who has had a big impact over the past 40 years on our 4-H in Wells County,” Captain said.
Sherer retired in 2019 following a 40-year career as Wells County’s Purdue Extension educator for 4-H and youth.
To honor his “dedication and selfless service to the youth, volunteers and citizens of Wells County,” fair officials will now refer to the expo hall and meeting rooms within the 4-H Community Center as “The Sherer Expo Hall and Meeting Rooms.”
Captain presented Sherer with the plaque that will hang in the community center. It has a picture of Sherer and text below his image praising his ability to build relationships with individuals and organizations while working together to achieve a common goal.
“I am humbled and appreciate it,” Sherer said after the awards ceremony.
“I enjoyed working with all of the volunteers throughout the years. It is really thanks to them that we are where we are today with the park and the fair.”
Sherer came to Wells County in January 1979. Captain shared that he was still a 4-H’er when Sherer began his career here.
“He had a big impact on my life,” Captain said. “He is the reason I went to Purdue. He sat down with me in his office and helped me get into the school of (agriculture). I am sure that he has done that for a lot of other kids, too.”
Captain also praised Sherer for the impact he has had on improving the 4-H’s facilities, noting that Sherer’s first office was in a small cubicle in the Wells County Courthouse. Sherer played a big role in the construction of the 4-H Community Center, as well as helping to build a new Junior Leaders booth and restrooms on the fair grounds.
“He has had a big impact on this park,” Captain said.
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