Division: Individual
Category: Arts
Richard “Dick” Engbers is nominated for giving over 40 years of his time, talent and energy in providing our community and region with “world-class” theater and for his leadership with Evansville Civic Theatre, Inc.
Nominated by Alexandra Van Duyn

Sarah & David Kaufman are nominated for their dedication to children as co-directors of the Patchwork Central Arts & Smarts Children’s Program. Sarah and David have brought their diverse visual arts interests to Patchwork Central and have created a strong arts curriculum.
Nominated by Patchwork Central, Inc.

Dr. Thomas Wilhelmus is nominated for his commitment to bettering the community by volunteering his time and talent to the Reitz Home Museum, as well as numerous other organizations. Specifically, Dr. Wilhelmus is responsible for writing four plays for the Reitz Home Museum.
Nominated by Jack B. Schriber

Division: Individual
Category: Education
Casey DePriest is nominated for her dedication to educating children about the dangers of substance abuse, and specifically for implementing the Hit a Home Run Against Drugs program in our community.
Nominated by Scott DePriest

Wallace B. & Barbara A. Graves are nominated for their leadership at the University of Evansville and for their numerous contributions to our community. They have served on numerous boards and continue to be a resource for countless organizations, collectively working to improve Evansville and the region.
Nominated by Julia G. Williams

Marilyn Haley is nominated for her dedication to children, especially for starting the Patchwork Central Book Club, which helps children improve their reading skills.
Nominated by Patchwork Central, Inc.

Sister Margaret Carolyn Kissel, OSB is nominated for her commitment to educating people of all ages and all abilities, and for her unceasing work at the Reading Carrel.
Nominated by Sister Mary George Kissel, OSB

Division: Individual
Category: Government & Public Service
Dr. Lora Becker is nominated for her dedication and commitment to issues of diversity, and specifically for being an invaluable advisor to Pride (the University of Evansville lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender student group), as a board member for the Tri-State Alliance for Gays and Lesbians, and her involvement on the UE Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee.
Nominated by Walley Paynter

Rick Kersting is nominated for his dedication to bettering his place of work (Schnucks West), the organizations he is involved with, and the larger community. He has assisted numerous organizations as a speaker, fundraiser, and advocate.
Nominated by Rick Herdes

Estella M. Moss is nominated for her dedication to getting African Americans involved with politics. She was responsible for the first African American Democratic Party candidate to run for public office supported by the Party.
Nominated by Lu Porter

Cheryl A. Musgrave is nominated for her devotion to public service as the Vanderburgh County Assessor (since 1994) and as the president of the Culver Neighborhood Association. Her dedication to serving all people has led to the expansion of the Goosetown Neighborhood Park and providing considerable accessibility to public records through the Vanderburgh County Geographic Information System.
Nominated by Tammy Elkins

Amy Oxford is nominated for her dedication to volunteering for many different organizations and causes. She has been instrumental in initiating numerous efforts leading to a better community, all the while dealing with the reality of Lupus.
Nominated by Kathy Williams

Dan Rausch is nominated for his work with at-risk adolescents and for starting the “Break the Cycle of Poverty” money management class. He is a dedicated employee at the Earle C. Clements Job Corps Academy.
Nominated by Dan Rausch

Pat Shoulders is nominated for his leadership and contributions to numerous community organizations and for assisting in the creating of the Arts Fest River Run.
Nominated by Jackie DeVoy

Honorable Wayne S. Trockman is nominated for being a leader in the development of the Vanderburgh County Day Reporting Drug Court and the Forensic Diversion Programs. His efforts acknowledge a need to work with individuals with problems as opposed to “locking them up.”
Nominated by Stephen Owens

Division: Individual
Category: Health & Social Service
Dan Barfield is nominated for his dedication as a volunteer for the Arthritis Foundation (Southwestern Indiana Branch), and for chairing the Foundation’s Annual 8 Ball Classic.
Nominated by Janice A. Johnson and the Arthritis Foundation (Southern IN Branch)

John K. Browning is nominated for his dedication to providing services for persons with mental illness. As President/CEO of the Southwestern Indiana Mental Health Center, he is committed to improving the quality of life in Southwestern Indiana by keeping “the community in community mental health.”
Nominated by Roxanne Beckham and colleagues

Sandi Chase is nominated for her dedication to bettering health care in the Evansville area, and for being an inspiration to her friends and colleagues at the VA Outpatient Clinic.
Nominated by the VA Nurses and Staff

Julie Clardy is nominated for her dedication to improving the quality of life of members of Evansville’s African American population, and for understanding that in working toward this goal, she is dedicated to improving the lives of all people in our community.
Nominated by Jennifer Roll

Wally Paynter is nominated for his leadership in creating public awareness and fundraising for the cause of HIV and AIDS. He has been an advocate and dedicated volunteer for numerous organizations and currently chairs the Tri-State AIDS Christmas Project.
Nominated by Andrew Essary

Mike Rupprecht is nominated for his leadership and dedication to the Southern Indiana Branch of the Arthritis Foundation, and particularly for his role in organizing the Arthritis Foundation’s Annual Wine Festival & Auction.
Nominated by Janice A. Johnson and the Arthritis Foundation (Southern IN Branch)

Christina M. Ryan is nominated for her dedicated leadership in the establishment and continuous operation of our region’s first medical facility specifically designed as a comprehensive women’s center – The Women’s Hospital.
Nominated by the Physician Partners of Women's Health Care P.C. and Administrative Staff

Division: Individual
Category: Neighborhood & Community Organizations
Pastor Mike Ballard is nominated for his dedication to serving our community through the Oak Hill Christian Center, and specifically for his role in making the Potter’s Wheel a reality for our community.
Nominated by Brian Splittorff

David Coker is nominated for his dedication and commitment to making Evansville and Vanderburgh County a better place to live through his work with the Vanderburgh County Taxpayer’s Association.
Nominated by R. Andrew Easley, Jr.

Pat Colter is nominated for her commitment to bettering the community by helping others to develop leadership skills, and for her role in organizing and conducting two Leadership Warrick County series.
Nominated by Gary Michel, Mary Lou Elbert, and Carla Kidwell

Brian Michael Dietz is nominated for his dedication to serving our community as a postal worker. He goes above and beyond by giving of his time, talent and treasure to the postal worker’s annual family adoption during the holidays.
Nominated by Julie Dietz & Natalie E. Jones

Maurice Keller is nominated for his dedication to serving our community as a volunteer. He is a retired Pedodontic specialist who is very active with Habitat, the St. Vincent DePaul Society, the Evansville Philharmonic, and other organizations.
Nominated by William Schmidt

Michael & Meg Kramer are nominated for their commitment to the children of our community, and specifically for their dedication to Young Life. They volunteer countless hours for the betterment of our community.
Nominated by Martin Schrodt

Daniel Mann is nominated for his dedication and commitment to his family and to his church. He has been instrumental in working with various Lutheran Churches in Dubois County to sponsor cabins at the Lutheran Hills Bible Camp.
Nominated by Darlene Mann

Cindy McDonald is nominated for being a dedicated volunteer, working with numerous individuals and organizations stressing the importance of self-esteem.
Nominated by Cindy McDonald

Abigail & Alicia Merkley are nominated for being active in our community as volunteers, and for being positive role models for their high school aged peers. They are twin sisters who are involved with the Mayor’s Youth Council, French Club, TeenPower Camp, Youth Resources, athletics, and many other activities engaging youth in improving our community.
Nominated by Cindy L. Merkley

Carl Scholfield is nominated for being dedicated to Habitat for Humanity through his church. He has raised money through his church for Habitat for the past 14 years, and he is “hands-on” when the houses have been built.
Nominated by Steve Parker

Pilar Tirado is nominated for her leadership in creating an outreach program through Nativity Church for Latinos in the Evansville area. Her dedication to serving to Latino population includes moral and spiritual support, as well as meals, gifts and other assistance.
Nominated by Maura Robinson

Dale Barker Wright is nominated for her dedication and commitment to the WHS Pet Adoption Center. She is committed to saving pet lives and to creating opportunities for people from all walks of life to interact in positive situations with pets.
Nominated by Lori A. Young

Division: Organization
Category: Arts
Children’s Center for Dance Education is nominated for providing a safe, non-competitive environment for children of all races, creeds, and/or financial circumstances to experience the dance arts.
Nominated by Dr. Merral Lewis

Evansville Federal Credit Union is nominated for their commitment to keeping music in the public schools by raising over $10,500. The fundraising effort included selling CD’s of local groups, making a donation to EVSC for every new account opened, and a live concert benefiting music in the public schools.
Nominated by Evansville-Vanderburgh School Corporation

Division: Organization
Category: Education
Red Door Pre-School is nominated for being committed to early childhood education, and for growing future community leaders.
Nominated by Susan Sauls

Stanley Hall Enrichment Center is nominated for being a proactive, community-minded school, providing educational opportunities for students at-risk of dropping out.
Nominated by Michael L. Slavkin, Ph.D.

Division: Organization
Category: Health/Social Service
Community Marriage Builders is nominated for providing programs and counseling to equip and educate the community for lifetime marriages.
Nominated by Valerie Brill

YouthBuild Evansville is nominated for unleashing the intelligence and positive energy of low-income young people, empowering them to rebuild their community and their lives.
Nominated by Robin Maglinger

Division: Organization
Category: Neighborhood/Community Organizations
Coalition of Inner-City Neighborhoods is nominated for being committed to improving inner-city neighborhoods by bringing people together and offering activities that encourage community involvement.
Nominated by the Central City Improvement Neighborhood Association

Junior League of Evansville is nominated for 75 years of improving our community through effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.
Nominated by the Junior League of Evansville

Women’s Council of Realtors –Evansville Chapter – is nominated for an ongoing commitment to providing financial and spiritual assistance to women in need in our community. Their efforts include work with the Albion Fellows Bacon Center, the Christian Life Center, the Kommen Walk for the Cure, and Women’s Build for Habitat, to name a few.
Nominated by Steve Parker

Division: Project
Category: Arts
Funk in the City Art Festival is nominated for being a unique celebration of art, culture, and diversity in a historically significant location – Haynie’s Corner. The proceeds from the festival benefited the restoration of the Alhambra Theater.
Nominated by Betsy Hopkins

Division: Project
Category: Education
Community Link – EVSC is nominated for “linking” parents with their children to raise math scores, skills, and hands-on applications. The project is filmed, edited and written by students of Bosse High School in the form of a 30 minute television magazine.
Nominated by Jack B. Schriber

Community Problem Solvers – Signature School is nominated for successfully advocating for Senate Bill 40, which would require all passengers in vehicles to wear seat belts. The students utilized the media and other agencies to assist in their effort to draw attention to this safety issue that affects all people.
Nominated by Katie Miller

University of Evansville Women’s Basketball Team is nominated for being committed to helping organizations in our community and for inspiring their peers to collaborate and work toward a common vision.
Nominated by Lu Porter

Division: Project
Category: Government/Public Service
The Women of Integra Bank are nominated for their ongoing involvement and commitment to the Women’s House Build, Habitat for Humanity., and thus furthering the mission of Integra Bank (Making the communities we serve better places to live.).
Nominated by Lu Porter

Youth Development of the Junior League of Evansville is nominated for preparing young people to be volunteers and to prepare to take leadership positions in volunteer organization.
Nominated by the Junior League of Evansville

Division: Project
Category: Health/Social Service
Evansville Living Idea Home 2003 is nominated for being a collaboration representing Evansville’s best homebuilding, finishing, and design community, and for being a benefit that provided for the children served by Little Lambs.
Nominated by the Junior League of Evansville.
Also Nominated by Kristen Tucker

Division: Project
Category: Neighborhood/Community Organizations
Evansville Day School is nominated for hosting the Community Volunteer Recruitment Fair, offering non-profit organizations an opportunity to recruit potential volunteers.
Nominated by Jeffrey Berger

Evansville Minister’s Wives Council is nominated for over 70 years of dedication to promoting wellness, peace, charity, and prosperity throughout the Tri-State’s low-income, minority communities.
Nominated by Lois Duncan

The Rotary Nature Trail at North Woods is nominated for being an excellent use of green-space, providing the community with a unique nature attraction.
Nominated by Lauren Rickelman

Division: Business/Institution
Category: Arts
Vectren Corporation is nominated for the numerous contributions made to various organizations in our community, and especially for Vectren’s role in helping Tales & Scales better serve the children and schools of our community.
Nominated by Jeff Gruszewski

Division: Business/Institution
Category: Education
Vectren Corporation is nominated for making a four-year commitment of $100,000 to benefit all schools (public, private and parochial) through the Bright Ideas Grant Program.
Nominated by Amy Walker and the Public Education Foundation

Division: Business/Institution
Category: Health/Social Service
Deaconess Hospital is nominated for serving over 650,000 people in 2003 through Community Benefit activities, and for sharing their resources by supporting numerous tri-state organizations.
Nominated by Michael Hart

Division: Business/Institution
Category: Neighborhood/Community Organizations
Our Greater Community, Inc. is nominated for developing the Community Development Financial Institution and for working toward community improvement in home ownership and housing stock development.
Nominated by Benjamin Johnson