Brenda Langerud, NDSU Extension agent for Ramsey County, received the Distinguished Service Award at the 2012 annual conference of the National Extension Association for Family and Consumer Sciences Sept. 24-28 in Columbus, Ohio.

The award, which recognizes members for leadership, outstanding program efforts and personal and professional development, is the highest award presented by the association. 

In receiving the award, Langerud was recognized for her work with families and youth, her exemplary commitment to meeting the needs of individuals, families and communities and the range and depth of programming she has led to better the lives of families and youth in North Dakota. 

North Dakota has had a member of its state Extension Association of Family and Consumer Science receive a Distinguished Service Award five out of the past 10 years.

While at the conference, Langerud attended the public affairs committee meeting and was selected chair-elect of the public issues subcommittee. Also, along with two other Extension agents from Ohio and Kentucky, Langerud presented a workshop on promoting family and consumer science programming.

Langerud is an NDSU alumna who lives in Devils Lake, N.D. 

NDSU is recognized as one of the nation's top 108 public and private universities by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.