The Mildred Clodfelter Regional Volunteer of the Year recognizes a KU alumni network leader who has demonstrated outstanding leadership, service, and impact within a regional alumni network in Kansas or Missouri during the current calendar year.

The award was created in 1987 to thank alumni and friends for “sustained volunteer service to the University at the local level.” The award honors Mildred Clodfelter, b’41, who worked for the University of Kansas for 47 years, including 42 at KU Alumni.

Winners of the “Millie” award have served as local alumni network leaders, Kansas Honors Program coordinators or student recruitment volunteers.

This annual award recognizes a KU alumni network leader who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, service, and impact within a national alumni network during the current calendar year.

Dick Wintermote, c’51, served as the executive director of the KU Alumni Association from 1963 to 1983. His legacy represents the importance of building a strong volunteer network and establishing the KU Alumni Association as one of the premier associations of graduates in the country.

From 1941 to 2010, the Association also awarded the Distinguished Service Citation, which recognized outstanding achievements “for the betterment of society and in behalf of humanity.”

In 2011, as a result of decisions by the Kansas Board of Regents and the University to confer honorary KU degrees, the Association’s national Board of Directors voted to retire the DSC and endorse the honorary degree program. The Association remains proud of its tradition of honoring nearly 400 alumni and friends who have served humanity.