1937 -
Personal Data
Born: September 14, 1937 Hartford, CT
Married: Marlene Dreher, 1959
Children: Diane Lois Whaples, Robert MacDonald Whaples, David Randolph Whaples and Laura Whaples
Education
Elementary education, Storrs, Connecticut
High school education, Windham High School, Willimantic, Connecticut
Bachelor of Science Degree in General Agriculture, University of Connecticut, 1960
Master of Science, Extension Education, Kansas State University, 1965
PhD in Agricultural and Extension Education. Major: Extension and Continuing Education. Minor: Human Development. University of Maryland, 1974
Employment
1999 Professor, Associate Director, University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension Service
1988 Professor, Assistant Director Programs, Planning and Management, University of Connecticut, Cooperative Extension System.
Responsible to the Associate Director for day-to-day management of the Extension program to include initiatives relating to agriculture, natural resources, community development, marine, youth, and family..
1983-1988 Professor, Assistant Director for Agriculture, Natural Resources and Community Development, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Connecticut.
1976-1983 Assistant Professor/Associate Professor, Extension and Continuing Education/Extension, Faculty and Staff Development Leader, University of Maryland Cooperative Extension Service.
Served as major advisor to 15 Ph.D. graduates, 26 M.S. graduates, and 9 A.G.S. graduates.
1969-1976 Instructor and Assistant Professor and Program Leader 4-H and Youth Development, University of Maryland Cooperative Extension Service.
1965-1969 Extension Agent 4-H and Youth Development, University of Michigan Cooperative Extension Service. Served as an Extension 4-H Youth Agent in both county and multi-county positions. Developed a program which involved over 2,000 youth and 400 volunteer leaders in organized groups.
Awards and Honors
1958 Alpha Zeta.
1965 Phi Delta Kappa.
1970 Epsilon Sigma Phi.
1979 Adult Education Association/USA Leadership Award.
1981 State of Maryland, Department of Education, Adult and Community Education Certificate of Appreciation.
1982 Association of Adult Education, Teaching, Research and Leadership Award.
1983 Phi Kappa Phi.
1996 Hall of Fame Inductees, International Adult and Continuing Education. University of Oklahoma Outreach
Membership-Professional Organizations
Phi Delta Kappa, Professional Education Fraternity
Omicron Delta Kappa
Honorary Agricultural Fraternity
1982-1983, American Association for Adult and Continuing Education (AACE), President
1992-1993, Connecticut 4-H Program Leader
1996, National 4-H Council, Asst. Director
Publications
Author
Whaples, GC.(1974). Attitudes of White 4-H Professionals toward blacks. PhD Dissertation University of Maryland College Park.
Whaples, GC.(1975). Racial Attitudes of One Group of Adult Educators. U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare. National Institute of Education.
El Sawi, G., Whaples, GC. (1977). Future Trends of 4-H: Do Members, Leaders and Staff 4-H Program Directors Agree?Washington, D.C.: National 4-H Council.
Miliken, W.J., Whaples, GC. (1977). Exploratory Study of the Relationship of Job Satisfaction to Work Values in the Maryland Cooperative Extension. Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station Service.
Ewert, M., Whaples, GC.(1979). Lifelong Learning Research Conference: Proceedings of a Conference.University of Maryland. Department of Agricultural and Extension Education.
Wang, V., Reiter, H., Lentz, G., & Whaples, JC., (1979). An Approach to Consumer-Patient Activation in Health Maintenance. In Cox, F., Erlich, J., Rothman, J., and Tropman, J. (Eds.), Strategies of Community Organization. (376-384) Itasca, Illinois: F.E. Peacock Publishers, Inc.
Whaples, GC.(1979). Research to practice in adult basic education. National government publication.
Whaples, GC., Miller, J. (1982).Learning to Lobby: A continuing Responsibility for Adult Educators. In Chester Klevins, (Ed.), Materials and Methods in Adult Education. (33-42) L.A. California: Klevins Publishing Company.
Whaples, GC., Rivera, WM. (1982). Policy Issues and Process. Issues in Education for Adults, #1. University of Maryland. Department of Agricultural and Extension Education.
Whaples, GC., Rivera, WM. (1982). Lifelong Learning Research Conference Proceedings (4th, College Park, February 12-13). University of Maryland. Department of Agricultural and Extension Education.
Whaples, GC., Rivera, WM. (1983). Lifelong learning research conference proceedings (5th, College Park, MD, February 17-18). University of Maryland. Department of Agricultural and Extension Education.
Professional Interest Areas
Agriculture
Adult Education
4-H Young Organization Program
Major Contributions to Adult Education
Development of the Cooperative Extension Service Unit of the American Association for Adult and Continuing Education (AAACE). Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the Adult Education Association of the US (1982-1983).
Additional Resources
Articles
Whaples, GC., Maryland Univ., C.e., Extension Service (USDA), W.C., & National Four-H Club Foundation, W.C. (1974). The Situational Attitude Scale (SAS) as an Attitude Measurement Tool for Adults Involved in Extension 4-H-Youth Programs.
Whaples, GC., Ryden, ER.(1975). Attitude Change: Your Challenge. Journal of Extension, 13, 12-7.
Wang, VL., Reiter, GA., Lentz, G., Whaples, GC. (1975). An Approach to Consumer-Patient Activation in Health Maintenance. A report of the Maryland 1-Year Health Education Demonstration Project. Public health reports (1974), 90 (5).449-54.
Benedetti, D., & Whaples, C. (1978). A Real Life Lab for Teacher Training. Extension Service Review, U.S. Department of Agriculture. 49 (1), 20-21.
Whaples, GC., Ogunfiditimi, TO. (1979). Construction of a five-factor attitude instrument for evaluation of the Food for Work Programs. Journal of Social Psychology, 107 (2) 291.
Whaples, GC. (1979). Influencing Congress. Lifelong Learning: The Adult Years. Adult Education Association/USA. 2 (5).
Whaples, GC., Williams, JD., & Larsen, C., (1980). Insights into Volunteerism. Maryland Adult Educator. 2 (3) 93-103.
Whaples, GC., & Ridlehuber, T. (1982) A Force for the Future. Lifelong Learning: The Adult Years.6 (4) 20, 27.
Whaples, GC., & Booth, N.(1982). Alternative Learning Environments: Providing for the Urban Low-Income Black Adult. Lifelong Learning: The Adult Years. 6 (1) 12-14, 27.Whaples, GC., & Waugaman, DO. (1982) Lobby Is Not a Four-Letter Word. Lifelong Learning: The Adult Years. 5 (8), 4,5,30, 1982. Reprinted in Adult Education Clearinghouse, Newsletter. 10 (9), 4-6.
Whaples, GC.(1983 ). The Regional Lifelong Learning Research Conference: A Model for Sharing Research and Experience. The Journal of Continuing Higher Education, 31(14), 13-15.
Whaples, GC. (1983). Interdependence and a United Voice, Lifelong Learning an Omnibus of Practice and Research.
Whaples, GC.(1983). Educational Quality: Our National Security Depends On It, Lifelong Learning: The Adult Years. 6 (9), 12, 19.
Whaples, GC. (1983). The Computer Age and A New Challenge to Adult Education, Lifelong Learning: The Adult Years. 6 (7), 22-25.
Whaples, GC. (1983). Flexitime: Can It Reduce Turnover and Improve Morale?. Journal of Extension. 21(6-7), 25-26.
Whaples, GC. (1983). Regional Lifelong Learning Conference: A Model for Low Cost Delivery of Research. The Journal of Continuing Higher Education. 31, 13-15.
Whaples, GC., (1983) A Policy for Adult and Continuing Education a National Priority. Lifelong Learning: The Adult Years. 6 (5) 33.
Whaples, GC. & Bordelon, J. (1983) The Working Woman: An Under Utilized Resource. Journal of Extension. 21 (5-6).
Refereed Proceedings
Barton, HA., & Whaples, GC. (1983). The Volunteerism of the Eighties. Proceedings, Lifelong Learning Research Conference, University of Maryland, College Park, 212-220.
Brooks, LR., & Whaples,GC. (1983). Planning from Both Angles and Justifying It. Proceedings, Lifelong Learning Research Conference, University of Maryland, College Park. 73-76.
Stephenson, MJ., & Whaples, GC. (1983).The Impact of Returning Women on Family Role Congruence. Proceedings, Lifelong Learning Research Conference, University of Maryland, College Park. 63-67.
Walker, SM., Ewert, DM., & Whaples, GC. (1981) Perceptions of Program Impact: ABE/GED. Maryland, Proceedings, Lifelong Learning Research Conference, College Park. 91-92.
Merrill, ED., & Whaples, GC.(1981). Assessing the Impact of Adult Basic Education: Some Methodical Considerations. Proceedings. The 22nd Adult Education Research Conference, DeKalb Illinois. 67-72.
Bordelon, JM., & Whaples, GC. (1980). Employment Characteristics of 4-H Volunteers in Maryland. Proceedings, Lifelong Learning Research Conference, University of Maryland, College Park. 110-111.
Choochai, I., Whaples, GC.(1980). Adoption of Agricultural Innovation: An Analysis of Farmers' Socioeconomic characteristics, Personality Variables, and Communications Behavior in the Northeast Region of Thailand. Proceedings, Lifelong Learning Research Conference, University of Maryland, College Park. 45-46.
Myers, MM., & Whaples, GC. (1979). Perceptions of the Role of Extension Home Economics Specialists in Maryland. Proceedings, Lifelong Learning Research Conference, University of Maryland. 46-47, 1976. Available through ERIC ED 171 937. Abstracted in Resources in Education (1).
Mason, VF., & Whaples, GC.(1979). A Study in Glenarden and their Attitudes toward volunteerism. Proceedings, Lifelong Learning Research Conference, University of Maryland. 40-41.
Waugaman, D., & Whaples, GC. (1979). Effectiveness of Voluntary Citizen Advocacy Activities as Perceived by Members of the North Carolina General Assembly. Proceedings, Lifelong Learning Research Conference, Ann Arbor, Michigan. 36.
Whaples, GC., & and Ogunfiditimi, T. (1978). An Attitude Instrument Developed for Evaluation of the Food for Work Program. Proceedings, Lifelong Learning Research Conference, San Antonio, Texas. 55.
Milliken, WJ., & Whaples, GC. (1978). Implications of Work Values to Job Satisfaction in the Maryland Cooperative Extension Service. Proceedings, Lifelong Learning Research Conference, San Antonio, Texas, 44.
Wells, JH., & Whaples, GC. (1977). The Private Business Sector as a Volunteer Resource Base. Roles of Colleges and Universities in Volunteerism at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Proceedings, Extension Division, Blacksburg, Virginia. 237-247.
Whaples, GC. (1976) Racial Attitudes of One Group of Adult Educators. Proceedings: Adult Education Research Conference, St. Louis, Missouri. Abstracted in Resources in Education. Available through ERIC ED 110 841.
Extension Publication
Whaples, GC. (1980). Growing as a Professional--Self-Renewal A Must. News and Views. Official Publication of the National Association of 4-H Agents. 33,1.
ElSawi, G., & Whaples, GC., (1977) Future Trends of 4-H: Do Members, Leaders and State 4-H Program Directors Agree, National 4-H Council, Washington D.C.
Whaples, GC., & Lancaster, J. (1976). University of Maryland Cooperative Extension Service 1975 4-H Summer Enrichment Evaluation. 4-H and Youth Department, Cooperative Extension Service, College Park, February.
Whaples, GC., & Sorter, B.(1975). Organizing Successful Committees. Information, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Maryland, College Park.
Whaples, GC., & Sorter, B.(1975) Learning to Listen in Groups. Information, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Maryland, College Park.
Whaples, GC. (1965). Major Duties and Responsibilities of the Extension Specialist in Kansas, Kansas State University, Extension Education, Manhattan, Kansas.
Bulletins and Reports
Merrill, E.,Whaples,GC., & Walker, S.(1981). Perceptions of Program Impact: ABE/GED in Baltimore, Maryland.
Robinson, Y., & Whaples, GC. (1981). Flexitime Study Maryland Cooperation Extension Service. Department of Agriculture Extension Education, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland.
Whaples, GC., & Ogunfiditimi, T.(1977). Relationships of Attitudes and Selected Socioeconomic Characteristics in a Food for Work Program, MP 916. Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Maryland, College Park. Available through ERIC ED 154 133.
Whaples GC., & Milliken, J.(1977). An Exploratory Study of the Relationship of Job Satisfaction to Work Values in the Maryland Cooperative Extension Service, MP 916. Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Maryland, College Park. Available through ERIC ED 154 133.
Whaples, GC. (1975). Attitudes of White 4-H Professionals in the Northeast Region of the United States Toward Blacks, MP 642. Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Maryland. College Park.
Whaples, GC. (1975) Attitudes Toward Blacks of Whites Adults Involved in 4-H Programs, a 4-H Intern Report, United States Department of Agriculture. Washington, D.C., 1974. Abstracted in Recourse in Education. Available through ERIC ED 109 205.
Whaples, GC. (1975) The Situational Attitude Scale (SAS) as an Attitude Measurement Tool for Adults Involved in Extension 4-H and Youth Programs, United States Department of Agriculture. Abstracted in Resources in Education, August. Available through ERIC ED 104 895.
Unpublished papers / Colloquia or Presentations
Whaples, GC. (1992). Sea Grant Marine Advisory Service And Cooperative Extension. How is The Arrangement Working. Presented at the National Marine Advisory Servive Leaders Meeting, Marathon, FL.
Whaples, GC. (1986). Adult Education, What is our Social Responsibility. Presented at Social Philosophy Luncheon, National Adult Education Conference, FL.
Whaples, GC. (1988). Your Role As a New Extension Professional. Workshop at The New England Institute For Extension Education's Introductory Workshop, Hampton, NH.
Whaples, GC. (1986). The Role of CES in Soil and Water Education. Presented at annual meeting of Connecticut Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Inc.
Whaples, GC. (1984). Change and Accountability. Presented to New England Association of Extension Agents' Annual Meeting, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT.
Whaples, GC. (1984). Priorities in Adult Education from the Professional Association Perspective. Adult Education Colloquium speaker. Syracuse University.
Whaples, GC. (1983). Lifelong Learning Research Conference - A model for Extension. Paper delivered at ECOP Staff Development Conference, St. Louis, Missouri.
Whaples, GC. (1983). Communications. Third Annual Agriculture in the Classroom Workshop, USDA, Washington , D.C
Whaples, GC. (1983). Plan to Plan. Workshop presented at USDA National Farm Women's Forum, Washington, D.C.
Whaples, GC. (1983). The National Picture in Adult Education. Presented to The Adult Education Association Meeting, Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Whaples, GC. (1983). Characteristics of Effective Staff Development in Cooperative Extension. Presented at Cornell University.
Whaples, GC. (1983). Continuing Higher Education: The View from Washington; Problems, Opportunities, Alliances. Presented at Pennsylvania, Mid Winter Conference on Adult Education, Hershey, Pennsylvania.
Whaples, GC. (1982). A Force for the Future. Closing speech, Massachusetts Joint Adult and Community Education Conference, Sturbridge, MA.
Whaples, GC. (1982). Adult Education in the U.S.: One Perspective, seminar. Munich, Germany.
Whaples, GC. (1982). The Future is Now. Opening speech at Maryland Adult Education Conference, Baltimore.
Whaples, GC. (1980). The Challenge of Adult Education. Presented to Ann Arundel County Adult Education Council, Anne Arundel, MD.
Whaples, GC. (1980). Adult Education Today. Opening presentation at 1980 Maryland Association for Public Supported Continuing Education. University Of Maryland, College Park, MD.
Interesting Facts
"During the late 1970 and early 1980's, Gene Whaples served on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the Adult Education Association of the USA. When the organization merged with the Nation for Public Continuing and Adult Education to form Continuing Education, he served as one of the Two Co-Presidents during the first year of the new organization. He, in part, was responsible for the successful development of the new association by helping to solve many of the difficult problems that they faced. He also was responsible for the development of the Cooperative Extension Service Unit of AAACE American Association for Adult and continuing education, helping to make it a strong part of the Association. The Lifelong Learning Conference was developed under his leadership. For a number of years, this conference provided many researchers an opportunity to interact with practitioners as they presented research findings and related their findings to everyday problems that adult educators faced. This was a unique approach and served as a model for other conferences that were developed around the country".University of Oklahoma Outreach, International Adult and Continuing Education, hall of Fame. Class of 1996.
His father, Randolph Wilbur Whaples was 4-H director for Connecticut in the 1950s, before working with USAID, and his brother, Donald Robert Whaples, was 4-H director for Vermont for many years, during the ‘70s and early ‘80s.
“When I was about 14 and he was 4-H program director in Maryland, I went to a summer camp that he was overseeing. I remember another kid about the same age coming up to me and telling what a great dad I had and that he wished he could have one like that. I guess it hadn't dawned on me how lucky I was (and still am)”. Robert Whaples, 2014.
References
International Adult and Continuing Education. Hall of Fame. Class of 1996. Gene Whaples. Retrieved from:
http://www.halloffame.outreach.ou.edu/1996/whaples.html
OCLC Worldcat. Retrieved from: http://www.worldcat.org
University of South Florida Libraries. Retrieved from: http://www.lib.usf.edu.ezproxy.lib.usf.edu/
Whaples, GC. (1960). The Role of the County Club Agent in Kansas. Master's Thesis. College of Education. Kansas State University. Retrieved from: https://archive.org/stream/roleofcountyclub00whap/roleofcountyclub00whap_djvu.txt