Awards

Congratulations to the 2024 Buswell Award recipient Rebecca "Becca" Fint-Clark

The WVU Council for Gender Equity is pleased to announce Rebecca "Becca" Fint-Clark as the 2024 recipient of the Mary Catherine Buswell Award.

The Mary Catherine Buswell Award was established in 1978 to recognize an individual who demonstrates excellence in their field as it relates to the advancement of university women, community and civic activities that serve and advance women, and/or significant pioneering activities that improve the status of women in the WVU community.

Fint-Clark has spent much of her life involved in community and civic engagement. She grew up in West Virginia’s 4-H program and that experience helped shape the person she is today, igniting a passion to continue a life of service.

In recognition of her outstanding accomplishments, Fint-Clark will receive the Mary Catherine Buswell Award on April 24 from the WVU Council for Gender Equity. 

Fint-Clark has served as a WVU Extension 4-H agent and associate professor in Monongalia County for more than 16 years. In this role she has helped thousands of youth, including girls and young women, gain valuable experiences and build a strong foundation for future success.

Fint-Clark received a grant from the Women’s Giving Circle of North Central West Virginia in 2021 where she led The Girls Group. This initiative focused on empowerment through journaling, mindfulness and interactive activities. Becca expanded these efforts into a virtual group during the pandemic for those who were isolated and wanted continued support. 

Each year, the county hosts more than 350 youth at 4-H camp. Fint-Clark’s work to secure $6,000 in scholarship funds annually has enabled low income and underserved youth to attend a camp and benefit from this unique experience. She is committed to making the camp experience safe and fun for participants, but also places a strong emphasis on education. She works with the local community, as well as WVU, to identify speakers and mentors who bring vast perspectives and experiences to these events.

Fint-Clark and her team have developed strong partnerships in the community. She and her team regularly visit local schools to provide educational programs on a host of topics, including STEM and nutrition. You can also regularly see Fint-Clark and her team in the community where they highlight service and civic engagement for youth. Whether youth are participating in a local fair, visiting a senior living center or sorting food, Fint-Clark shares her passion for giving back to the community and commitment to “making the best better.” 

In addition to her work with local youth, Fint-Clark also works with volunteers for WVU Extension including Community Educational Outreach Service clubs, 4-H volunteers and others who support activities. Under her mentorship and leadership, she helps ensure that all Monongalia County residents can engage with Extension programs.

Fint-Clark’s late mother, Stacy, instilled in her a strong work ethic and a passion for empowering women. She is an active member in the WVU Women’s Leadership Initiative where she supports fostering positive relationships and professional development. She mentors young women by identifying scholarship opportunities, internships and career placement that will help them achieve their fullest potential. Outside of her work with Extension, she is actively involved in identifying opportunities for her daughter and other young women to learn and discover.

As one of her nominator’s noted, “Becca goes above and beyond to ensure that youth are provided with valuable resources to help them grow into positive, service-minded young adults and adults.”