Volunteer USI announces 2025 award recipients

Volunteer USI, the University of Southern Indiana’s volunteer organization, celebrated its 2025 award recipients at its meeting on Thursday, May 8. 

Over 800 volunteers donated their time and talent to USI in the 2024-25 academic year. Two were chosen as recipients of the Volunteer of the Year and Student Volunteer of the Year awards.   

Volunteer of the Year – Bob Gober ’25 

Bob Gober, an electrical controls technician at USI, was recognized as the 2025 Volunteer of the Year. As an avid trails user, he saw a need for trail maintenance and cleanup and would often take it upon himself to clip back brush or move logs out of the way so others could enjoy the trails safely. When the Trails Committee was formed at USI, Gober was one of the first people to join.

This past year, he dug nearly all the holes for new signage around the trails. Gober continually devotes his free time on evenings and weekends to trail beautification. He consistently shows others how amazing USI’s trail network is and ponders ideas to improve wayfinding and educational opportunities.

In addition to working full time and volunteering as much as possible, Gober completed his bachelor’s degree in business administration this spring. He continually supports student groups and was honored at the 2024 Lavender Graduation for his volunteer work through the Center for Campus Life. He also volunteered to serve as a greeter for new students during Welcome Week and assisted with the annual student Late Night Breakfast in the 2024-45 academic year.  

Student Volunteer of the Year – Zoe Tucker   

Zoe Tucker, a junior electrical engineering major from Indianapolis, was recognized as the 2025 Student Volunteer of the Year. Her passion for STEM education and sharing knowledge with others prompted her to give back to the community. Tucker has helped with events such as Solarpalooza, USI Day at the Zoo, the USI LEGO League Tournament and many more STEM-related events both on and off campus.

She serves as President of the Society of Women Engineers and spearheaded many service opportunities for this group. In 2024, she received the Pott College Student Excellence in Leadership Award in honor of her dedication to leading and educating others. Tucker also played a key role through the Society of Women Engineers in facilitating an event for local Girl Scouts to receive their Woodworker Badge.  

Her nominator, Dr. Milad Rezvani-Rad, Assistant Professor of Engineering, writes, “while many students volunteer occasionally, she consistently dedicates her time and energy with no expectation of compensation. She has the intention and desire to give back to the University and the community to help her peers.” 

Volunteer USI began nearly 30 years ago when USI’s second President H. Ray Hoops saw a need for a formal program to record the dedication and accomplishments of those who give back to the University and surrounding community. Since its inception, thousands of volunteers have donated time through serving on councils, assisting with beautification efforts and a variety of other notable achievements.  

For more information on Volunteer USI, visit USI.edu/volunteer.