Writer(s):
Jan. 8, 2025
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Virgil Strickler, who retired in February 2024 as the longest-serving general manager in the history of the Ohio Expo Center and Ohio State Fair, was honored with The Ohio State University’s 2024 Distinguished Service Award during autumn commencement exercises Sunday, December 15, 2024, at the Jerome Schottenstein Center.
Strickler’s career has been defined by his unwavering commitment to Ohio’s agricultural youth. He is best known for his leadership of the Ohio State Fair and for creating the nationally recognized Youth Reserve Program, which has awarded more than $4.6 million in scholarships to over 44,500 youth exhibitors since 1995. In 2023, the program was renamed the “Virgil L. Strickler Youth Reserve Program” to honor his exceptional contributions.
“Virgil Strickler’s legacy is a testament to the power of mentorship, education, and service to the community,” said Cathann A. Kress, Ohio State vice president for agricultural administration and dean of Ohio State’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES).
“His extraordinary leadership in support of 4-H, FFA, and Ohio’s youth has had a lasting impact, not just on the fair industry, but on generations of young people who have benefited from the opportunities he helped create.”
Strickler has also been a strong advocate for Ohio State University Extension, CFAES’ outreach arm. His efforts helped secure the OSU Extension and Ohio 4-H youth development program’s prominent role at the fair each year, ensuring financial support for youth activities and judging events.
Strickler’s passion for agriculture and youth education can be traced back to his childhood on a farm in Fairfield County. As a youth, he participated in FFA for four years and 4-H for 11 years, showing hogs and cattle at his county fair. These early experiences instilled a deep understanding of the agricultural industry’s importance and inspired Strickler’s lifelong dedication to youth development.
“Virgil’s dedication to the next generation of agricultural leaders has not only shaped the Ohio State Fair into one of the nation’s top fairs but has also inspired countless youth to pursue their passions and careers in agriculture,” Kress said. “His work exemplifies the spirit of service, and it is an honor to recognize him with this distinguished award.”
His leadership extended beyond the fairgrounds as he became involved in several key organizations, including the Ohio Agricultural Council, Ohio Farm Bureau Federation, and Greater Ohio Showmen’s Association. He has been recognized with several prestigious awards, including the 4-H Fifth ‘H’ Award for Youth Development (2000), the Honorary American FFA Degree (2018), and the Ohio Friend of 4-H Award (2023).
Strickler’s impact on Ohio agriculture has been profound. He began his career as an agricultural lender before joining the Ohio Expo Center in 1993 as agriculture director. He was inducted into the Ohio Fair Managers Association Hall of Fame (2014), the Ohio Agricultural Hall of Fame (2017), and the Ohio State Fair Hall of Fame (2023).
The Distinguished Service Award, established in 1952 by Ohio State’s Board of Trustees, recognizes individuals who have rendered exceptional service to the university. This prestigious award honors those whose contributions go above and beyond the call of duty, marking them as leaders and trailblazers in their respective fields.
Strickler’s decades of service and his enduring impact on Ohio’s youth and agricultural communities embody the spirit of this esteemed recognition, Kress said.
Writer(s):