Beatrice Cleveland (1921-2012) influenced the lives of thousands of Ohio’s young people and volunteer leaders through her life-long involvement with the 4-H youth program at Ohio State.
Cleveland served 25 with Ohio State as a member of the 4-H staff, and held multiple positions during that time. Her greatest contribution was inspiring thousands of young people to develop their leadership potential. She retired in 1977, though remained active in her support of Ohio State, particularly with the 4-H program and the School of Home Economics.
She received many honors and awards including being inducted into the Ohio 4-H Hall of Fame, Ohio Women’s Hall of Fame, Ohio State Fair and Ohio Agricultural Hall of Fame, National 4-H Hall of Fame, Ohio State’s College of Human Ecology Diamond University Award. She also received the Everett D. Reese Medal of Philanthropy (Ohio State University’s highest recognition awarded to fund-raising volunteers), and was honored with the Bea Cleveland Board Room in the Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center on Ohio State’s campus.