Archbold, Ohio (6-10-25) – Five individuals have been selected to receive the Northwest State Community College Distinguished Alumni Award for 2025. Those individuals were officially recognized during a special luncheon ceremony prior to Spring Commencement on Saturday, May 10, 2025 at the Archbold Campus. Plaques with their likeness will also be added to the prestigious Alumni wall of award recipients, located outside the Voinovich Auditorium in the College’s E wing.

Robbin Wilcox, NSCC Executive Director of Development and the NSCC Foundation

“The Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes excellence beyond Northwest State – education, professional achievement, service to the community and more. We are proud to recognize these five graduates with this prestigious award, and we congratulate them for their achievements, and for being tremendous representatives of Northwest State Community College,” Wilcox continued.

ABOUT THE RECIPIENTS

Kevin Becker is a 2014 graduate who earned his Associates of Applied Business, Business Management. He went on to earn a Bachelors of Arts from Defiance College in 2016. He then furthered his education and went on to University of Wisconsin to the Graduate School of Banking.

Daniel Benecke is a 2000 graduate who earned his Associates in Applied Business, Business Management & Marketing Retailing from Northwest State Community College. Daniel is the President of SanJan Inc. and Viking Trucking.

Tim Dennis is a 1981 graduate who earned his Associates of Applied Business, Business Management from Northwest State Community College. Tim is the CEO of Dennis Apartments and Mrs. Dennis Potatoes.

Dr. Melanie Hicks is a 2004 graduate who earned her Associates of Applied Science, Registered Nursing and a certificate of Practical Nursing from Northwest State Community College. She went on to earn her Bachelors of Science in Nursing in 2012 from Indiana Wesleyan University. She then earned her Masters of Science in Nursing

from Westerns Governors University in 2016. She then continued her education earning her Doctorate of Nursing Practice from Indiana Wesleyan University in 2020.

Dr. Julia Salinas is a 2003 who earned her Associates of Applied Science, Registered Nursing. She continued her education at The Ohio State University earning her Bachelors of Science in Nursing in 2016, Master of Healthcare Innovation in 2021 and Doctor of Nursing Practice in 2024.

ABOUT THE DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD

The Distinguished Alumni Award represents the most prestigious award presented by the Alumni Association of Northwest State. This award was established in 1998 to honor graduates of Northwest State Community College who have achieved recognized prominence in their chosen career and have made significant contributions to their profession, community and the lives of others. Recipients of the Distinguished Alumni Award represent the ideal of a committed, industrious, and caring individual to whom Northwest State Community College may look as an example. Additional information on the NSCC Distinguished Alumni Award, including a list of previous recipients, is available online at NorthwestState.edu/distinguished-alumni-award.

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Northwest State Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served northwest Ohio since 1969. Northwest State is committed to providing a quality, affordable education with personal attention and small class sizes. The College offers associate degrees with numerous transfer options, short-term certificate programs, and workforce training programs designed to meet the needs of local businesses and industries. For more information, visit NorthwestState.edu or call 419.267.5511.