Kenneth L. Sendelweck ’76, president and chief executive officer of German American Bank in Jasper, Indiana, has been awarded the USI Distinguished Accountant Award for 2006.

The award recognizes professional achievement, service to the region and/or the University, and service to the accounting profession. It was presented October 17 during the Accounting Extravaganza, an annual event for accounting students, faculty, and the USI Accounting Circle. The award is presented by the USI College of Business accounting program and the Accounting Circle, an advisory board.

Sendelweck recently was named by Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels to the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, a 14-member body that coordinates planning and budgeting for higher education in Indiana.

In addition to serving as president and CEO of German American Bank, Sendelweck is secretary/treasurer of German American Bancorp and chairman/secretary of German American Financial Advisors. He joined German American in 1999.

Previously, Sendelweck was associated for 23 years with Kimball International, Inc., in Jasper. He served in various financial and administrative responsibilities from 1976 until 1991. In 1991, he was named vice president and assistant treasurer of the company and served in that capacity until joining German American Bank.

At USI, Sendelweck is a member and past chair of the College of Business Board of Advisors. He has served for 10 years on the USI Foundation Board of Directors. He is a member of the foundation’s USI Annual Fund Alumni Campaign committee and a past member of the finance committee.

In the community, he serves on the boards of Jasper Municipal Utility Services, Dubois County Community Foundation, and the Revitalize “Old Jasper” Action Coalition. He is a member of the planned giving committee for Memorial Hospital Foundation and on the board of directors of the Catholic Foundation of Southwestern Indiana.

In accepting the award, Sendelweck said, “There is no better foundation than an accounting degree from USI.”

He shared a list of leadership traits with students at the Accounting Extravaganza. First on the list was “never compromise your integrity.” He also advised students to cultivate a positive attitude, set goals, be creative, and strive for improvement.

Sendelweck and his wife Janet live in Jasper. They have two daughters, Leah and Erin.