2004 Alumni Award Recipients

The USI Alumni Association honored alumni and faculty at the Graduation Celebration held on May 8, 2004.

Anne G. Denner '92
Special Recognition Award

An abiding love of students was the driving force behind Anne G. Denner's three decades as an instructor and advisor at USI.  Her work touched students in dental hygiene, respiratory therapy, nursing, and dental assisting as well as biology.  When she wasn't in the classroom, she was busy advising students, many who were preparing to study physician assisting.

She joined the University in 1968 as an adjunct instructor in biology.  In the early 1980s she became a part-time instructor and in 1989 was appointed a full-time biology instructor in the School of Nursing and Health Professions.  From 1994 to 2000, she taught in the Pott School of Science and Engineering before retiring to Ludington, Michigan, with her husband, the late Dr. Melvin "Mike Denner", USI professor emertus of biology.

The Denners' many contributions to the university were recognized when the Denner Human Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory in the Torrington Science Wing was named in their honor in 2003.

She holds a master's in biology from Iowa State University, a bachelor's in zoology from University of Kentucky, where she earned a high school teachers certificate, and a bachelor's in nursing from USI.  She resides in Evansville, Ludington, and Deland, Florida, which keeps her in close proximity to family and friends she holds dear.  She has two adult sons and three grandchildren.

C. Christy Baker
Faculty Recognition Award

C. Christy Baker, associate professor of social work, immediately became involved on campus after she joined USI in 1995.  Ms. Baker is a dedicated educator whose caring personality, combined with her expertise as a teacher and advisor, have gained her the enduring respect of her students and colleagues.

In addition to teaching undergraduate and graduate classes, she is chair of the BSW Practice Clinical Sequence, a member of the BSW Program Committee, coordinates the social work department's participation in Southern Hospitality Days, advises the BSW Club, and is a member of the department's Personnel Committee.  She was acting director of the MSW program and director of admission for both the graduate and undergraduate programs.

Professor Baker's USI involvements include Faculty Senate chair since 2002 and a member of the following University committees:  Academic Planning Council, Retention Committee, President's Task Force on Economic and Workforce Development, Intellectual Property and Copyright Committee, and Search Committee for the provost and vice president for Academic Affairs.

Ms. Baker holds a Master of Social Work from Tulane University and a bachelor's in psychology from Louisiana State University.

Susan '94 and Kirk '93 Knight
Alumni Service Award

Susan McGregor Knight and Kirk W. Knight have volunteered numerous hours in support of USI.  They personify the Association's mission to serve and develop a committed body of alumni dedicated to promoting and enhancing the excellence and the reputation of the University.

Susan, a 1994 secondary education/social science graduate, served as president of the USI Alumni Association 2000-01; Alumni Council member 1998-2003; past chair of the Alumni Annual Fund Campaign Board; captain for Campaign USI; and Phonathon volunteer.  A member of the Foundation Board since 1999, Susan is the chair of the Foundation's Alumni Major Gifts Committee.

Kirk, a 1993 business administration graduate, served as president of the USI Alumni Association 1997-98; Alumni Council member 1995-99; USI Foundation Board member 1996-99, vice chair 1997-98; member of the 2001-02 Annual Fund Corporate Campaign Board; Campaign USI volunteer; Phonathon volunteer; and Alumni Picnic chef.

Kirk is president of Champ Torque Converters Inc., a company he and Susan co-own.  Susan is vice president of Quality Automotive Distributors Corporation.  The Knights reside in Evansville with their son, Marshall, and daughter, Rebecca.

Joycelyn Winnecke'82
Distinguished Alumni Award

Conferral of the Distinguished Alumni Award provides recognition to a graduate who has made outstanding achievements in career or in public service.  This year's recipient, Joycelyn Winnecke, has distinguished herself as a national journalist and newspaper editor.

A 1982 USI communications graduate, Ms. Winnecke juggled her studies with full time work as a journalist with the Evansville Sunday Courier & Press.  She progressed through her career from the Washington D.C. bureau chief for the Indianapolis Star to former managing editor of the Chicago Sun-Times.  For many years, she wrote the Great Taste column for the Scripps Howard News Service.  Today, she is the associate managing editor for national news at the Chicago Tribune.

Ms. Winnecke directs all national news coverage with bureaus in Washington, D.C.; New York; Los Angeles; Atlanta; and Austin, Texas.  Her team is responsible for all news, features, and analysis from outside the state of Illinois but within the United States.  She also directs an editing desk in Chicago and advises the editor, managing editor, and deputy managing editor on what national stories should appear on the newspaper's front page.

Ms. Winnecke is pursuing an M.B.A. at University of Chicago.  She and her four year old daughter, Grace, reside in downtown Chicago.
 

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