Robert Barker/University Photography

Cornell President David Skorton helps 4-H members fill "hero packs" with supplies as part of Operation Military Kids, Aug. 24 at the New York State Fair. Shown with the president, from left, are Cassy Stoodley, 15, Hannah Oram, 7, and her sister Meghan Oram, 10. Copyright © Cornell University

The event, held in the CCE youth building, was part of a nationwide effort called Operation Military Kids and involves 4-H, the U.S. Army Child and Youth Services and the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, among other groups.Two weeks prior to his inauguration, Cornell President David Skorton attended opening day of the 160th New York State Fair, where, among other activities, he helped a dozen Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) 4-H members stuff "hero packs" for children of Reserve and National Guard soldiers soon to be deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.

"This is a time when everybody needs to get behind the troops and their families," said Skorton, as he placed writing supplies, disposable cameras, handmade toys and other items into backpacks. "The country is obviously politically divided about the war. But this is a hugely difficult time for military families, and they deserve our full support, and this is the kind of service that Cornell, with its extension program, is uniquely positioned to assist in accomplishing."

Copyright © Cornell University

Cornell President David Skorton speaks with Gov. George Pataki shortly before opening ceremonies for the New York State Fair, Aug. 24.

Robert Barker/University Photography

Skorton says hello to 4-H member Kate Eldredge's dog. Eldredge, a 15-year-old from Oneida County, presented Skorton with a copy of her dog-training book, "Head of the Class." Skorton requested she sign a salutation to his dogs, Miles and Billie. Copyright © Cornell University

Throughout his half-day tour, Skorton was accompanied by Stephen Philip Johnson, interim vice president for government relations; Ronald Seeber, vice provost for land grant affairs; Susan Henry, dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences; and Glenn Applebee, associate director of CCE.

To everyone he met, Skorton presented those qualities fast becoming signature characteristics: a pacific repose amid the clamor of public appearances and a genuine regard for each person he encounters, whether young or old, politician or pedestrian, Cornell affiliate or man on the street.

Upon greeting Tyler MacIntosh, a 4-H teen member from Columbia County working with a national technology team to develop specialized Web sites, Skorton presented his business card and told MacIntosh to get in touch when the site was up and running.

Led by 4-H member Lindsay Meyers and Cornell graduate Tad Yanowski ('06 entomology), Skorton was stumped in a tree identification test at one booth and then enthusiastically made his own 4-H button at another.

The president then met Kate Eldredge, a 15-year-old 4-H member from Oneida County who wrote a dog-training book, "Head of the Class," and presented a copy to Skorton, who requested she sign a salutation to his dogs, Miles and Billie. Read about her book.

His 4-H tour concluded with a brief interview conducted by staffers on the 4-H press corps. Skorton gave his full attention to the students as if they were the sole reason for his being there.

At the reviewing stand Skorton met with New York Sen. Catharine M. Young (R-57th Dist.), chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, and was introduced to Cornell freshman Caitlin Rohe, the New York State Dairy Princess. The president then participated in a walk and talk with New York Gov. George Pataki, before the latter gave a brief address in which he thanked Skorton for taking time out of "his freshman year" to visit the fair.

The tour concluded with lunch at Baker's Chicken Coop, established by the late Cornell professor emeritus of animal science Robert C. Baker, whose North Lansing family has presided over the fair's chicken emporium for 57 years. Despite the appeal of the legendary barbecued chicken slathered in Cornell sauce, Skorton, a vegetarian, partook of a salad, fries and a roll. He met with host Reenie Baker Sandsted and Dale Baker, M.S. '73, associate director of the New York State Sea Grant program, a joint effort between the State University of New York and Cornell.

Skorton is no stranger to state fairs, and he regularly attended those in his former home of Iowa.

"They're a great American tradition and a great way to introduce young people to careers in agriculture and life sciences," he said.

Asked if the experience was tinged with nostalgia for the Hawkeye State to which he so recently bid farewell, Skorton candidly replied, "big time ... but unless something truly unusual happens, I'll be coming here every year."