This is an exciting time of year for me – the time when I think about all the great work the alumni volunteers do out in their own communities and world, and how we, in turn, can reward them for this outstanding work. With the partnership of Rachael McAfee, Kim Merritt, and Nattie Meador, we’ve developed this recognition program that showcases many levels of service.

That recognition menu includes not only amazing work by Communities in the Chartered Alumni Communities Program but also individual leadership milestones, including two very special awards. This year, we present the inaugural IUAA Volunteer Leadership Award. This is a new award that is given to those that have shown investment in IUAA through time, talent or treasure and are seen as emerging leaders in the Indiana University community and IUAA family.

• Jann Fujimoto, BA’94, of Oconomowoc, Wisconsin
• Kyle King, BS’07, OD’11, of Evansville
• Phil Mark, BA’84, of South Bend
• Lori Pearson-Perry, BS’01, of Indianapolis
• Etta Ward, BA’95, MA’08, of Indianapolis

Our very top volunteer award, the IUAA President’s Award, is given for the highest level of volunteer achievement and will go to the following persons:

• Bernadette Brier-Slawinski, BS’76, MS’81 of Ogden Dunes
• Bill Hyde, BS’69, of Naples, Florida, to be accepted by his family*
• Phyllis Lewis, BS’59, MS’80, of Indianapolis
• Janice Mucker, BSW’88, MSW’91, of Indianapolis
• Sandy Searcy, BS’86, MS’88, of Bloomington
• Mike Shumate, BS’67, of San Diego, CA

*Sadly, Bill Hyde died on May 11 in Florida, surrounded by his loving family. Bill’s work with the Kelley Alumni Network in New York City and the Southwest Florida Chapter of the IUAA spanned nearly three decades and had an enormous impact.  One of his last events while president of Southwest Florida was the chapter’s brunch series during Winter College in Naples that featured the Singing Hoosiers, a group close to the hearts of his family and friends in the area. Bill’s award will be presented to his family during Cream and Crimson Alumni Weekend. Bill will be deeply missed.