Posted: August 28, 2025
Pennsylvania 4-H has announced this year’s recipients of the Allen L. and Richard H. Baker Memorial 4-H Scholarship. Receiving awards are Stephanie Andrews, of Montgomery County, Allison Emanuel, of Lehigh County, and Jordan Olson, of Mercer County.
The annual scholarship was established to honor a father, Professor Allen L. Baker, and his son, Richard H. Baker, for their years of dedicated service to Penn State.
Professor Allen L. Baker served within the 4-H program for 38 years, including 37 years as the state 4-H club leader. Starting in 1946, Richard H. Baker worked for the University for 38 years, serving as assistant treasurer and director of financial management from 1976 to 1984.
Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences awards the scholarship to current or former Pennsylvania 4-H members who have completed at least one semester and are enrolled as full-time undergraduate students at Penn State’s University Park campus or at a Commonwealth Campus.
Scholarship applicants highlight their 4-H projects, activities, citizenship, and leadership experience and describe how those experiences contributed to their personal growth through their 4-H career. Additionally, many describe how 4-H influenced their field of study or career choices.
Andrews, awarded $2,300, is a sophomore majoring in agricultural and extension education with a goal of becoming a high school agriculture teacher. During her time as part of Penn State Extension’s Montgomery County 4-H program, she was involved in the livestock and dairy program and served as the secretary and treasurer of her 4-H club.
Emanuel, also awarded $2,300, is a junior in the Smeal College of Business, studying marketing and agribusiness. For eight years, she was a member of 4-H in Lehigh County, with a focus on leadership opportunities, including Lehigh Teen Council and the 2024 State Leadership Council. In addition, Emanuel was a youth member of Lehigh’s 4-H program development committee, a camp counselor, and a 4-H state project ambassador. She also served as a 4-H program assistant in 2023 and 2024 in Lehigh and Berks counties to help implement 4-H day camps and afterschool programs.
Olson, who was awarded $1,263, is a sophomore majoring in animal science and minoring in agribusiness management with the goal of becoming a large animal veterinarian. A member of 4-H in Mercer County for 12 years, she participated in a wide variety of livestock projects as well as cake decorating and sewing. Olson served as president of the 2024 Pennsylvania 4-H State Council. In this role, she provided leadership to the team to encourage participation and promote the work of Pennsylvania 4-H.
Administered in Pennsylvania by Penn State Extension, 4-H is a nonformal educational youth-development program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture that helps young people develop knowledge and skills to become capable, caring, and contributing citizens. To find your local program, visit the Pennsylvania 4-H website.
