Vol. 16(1) Spring 09

From the Editors

Happy 25th Anniversary, AIAEE! As we celebrate 25 years as an organization it is important to reflect back on our past. Don Meaders and Ray Ostos contributed an insightful historical perspective of the organization in the 2001 Conference Proceedings. Their questions are just as important today: (a) what is the purpose of the Association? (b) who has been our leaders and what are their affiliations? (c) what are our key “moments” and evolving patterns? (d) what operational and contextual changes have we made over time? (Meaders & Ostos, 2001, p. 240).

In the summer of 1983 there was a seminar on Agricultural Education in Africa hosted by the agency for international development. This was the impetus for the creation of the Association of Agricultural Education (AIAE) on April 6, 1984. On the program for the organizational development meeting were Bill Thuemmel, Fred Hutchinson, Maurice Fleming, Edna McBreen, Don Meaders, Carl Martin, Wayne Nilsistuen, Douglas Pickett, George Miller, Jean Weideman, Terrence Thomas, Frank Bobbitt, Karl Sandlin, and Burt Swanson. David Riley from Sam Houston State University was the organizer. The officers were (a) Chairperson, Burt Swanson, (b) Vice Chairperson, William Thuemmel, and (c) Secretary-Treasurer, Lennie Gamage. The Executive Board included Robert Julian, Don Meaders, David Riley, and Hugh Rouk. Additional attendees were: James Albracht, Ronald Brown, Frank Byrnes, Jeane Dorette, Eddie Dye, Frank Fender, Ryland Holmes, Richard Jensen, Larry Jewell, Vern Johnson, Harold Jones, James McGuire, Robert Maxwell, Larry Miller, Cynthia Perry, Douglas Pickett, and William Richardson. These individuals were the founders of AIAEE and we sincerely thank them and celebrate their forethought and dedication.

The initial constitution had the purpose of providing a medium for exchange of ideas related to international agricultural education and to provide a liaison between higher education and a diverse array of international entities. Today our objectives include continuing dialogue and scholarly communication of our collective global knowledge. We’ve stayed true to our original charge.

The Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education began 10 years later. Jack Elliot was the first editor followed by Satish Verma, James Connors, and Gary Wingenbach. These leaders have moved us to the point of now having a preeminent journal that is managed entirely online. Our scholarship continues.

Sincerely,

James R. Lindner, Executive Editor and Kim E. Dooley, Managing Editor

Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education