Barb Hildebrand works at OSU Extension – Morrow County and has been at OSU 27 years 
Why did you choose to work at Ohio State?
I had always participated in and loved 4-H when I was growing up, and when a part-time office associate position became available in the local county office, I applied. At the time, I was a full-time mom, and part-time employment worked for me. The job was close to home and I had previously worked at the Mt. Gilead Area Extension Office, so I came back to an organization that I knew.
What do you like about your job?
I really enjoy working with the 4-H program and advisors. Also, we have a really great office staff that works well together. It is a privilege to work with the people in our office, and I enjoy talking to the clients who visit and call.
How do you apply the ‘One University’ concept?
We are in the small town of Mount Gilead, and even though we are an hour away, the university includes us and makes us feel as though we are “one.” Our county also has been visited by President Gee. How can you not feel part of OSU after that?
What is the biggest life challenge you’ve overcome?
I think the biggest challenge to overcome for a working mom in any job is trying to balance work and family. It is hard to manage a work schedule and children’s schedules. Fortunately I had family to help me. When I came back to work, I had a child in grade school and a preschooler. Time has gone by quickly and they are both grown now. They survived!
What is your favorite activity outside of work?
I enjoy doing crafty things. I love to sew, cross-stitch, crochet, knit, do foundation quilting and scrapbooking. I also enjoy flower gardening. It is fun to come up with an idea and see it be completed into a “one-of-a-kind” item, whether it is for myself or to be given as a gift.
Of what honor or recognition are you most proud?
My husband and I have two wonderful kids who are grown and have good jobs. Our son and daughter-in-law live close and have a 2-year-old boy who has given me the honor of being “grandma.” Our daughter is an OSU grad and dental hygienist engaged to a great guy. I think these are the greatest honors anyone could ever have.
Who is your hero?
My mother because she was such a wonderful person, taught me so many useful things and loved our family so much. She stayed at home to care for us, and I have so many wonderful memories of her. She passed away nine years ago at the age of 85. There isn’t a day that goes by that I do not think of her and miss her.
If you weren’t working at Ohio State, what would you rather be doing?
I would not want to be anywhere else or doing anything else. I love my job. I am close to home and the hours are great. I love working with the people in our office, the 4-H advisors, parents and kids. I have the best job in the world!
What are you going to do when you retire?
I do not have any plans of retiring soon. I suppose when I do retire that I will become a homebody who is taking care of the house, my flowers, creating a lot of craft items and having fun with my grandchildren. My sister says I will follow in the footsteps of our mother and “make beautiful quilts.”
If you were the university president for a day, what would you do?
I would not want to take on that responsibility for even one day. I cannot imagine the day-to-day responsibilities and the schedule one would have to maintain to accomplish all that our university president does. I have met Dr. Gee twice when he visited Morrow County and have a lot of respect for him.
To nominate a staff member for TopSpot, e-mail oncampus@osu.edu.