Vincennes to Honor State Senator
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowRetiring State Senator Tom Wyss (R-15) will speak at Vincennes University's commencement ceremony. He will also receive an Honorary Doctorate in Public Service during next month's event.
April 17, 2014
News Release
Vincennes, Ind. – Vincennes University will present an Honorary Doctorate in Public Service to Indiana State Senator Tom Wyss during VU's 208th Commencement Exercises on May 3 at the Physical Education Complex. The Senator will join VU President Dick Helton in addressing VU graduates.
Wyss has represented Fort Wayne since his election in 1985. He represents Senate District 15, which includes portions of Allen County.
In addition to his service in the State Senate, Wyss served in the Indiana Air National Guard from 1966 to 1997, retiring as a lieutenant colonel and public information officer. He was elected to the Allen County Council in 1976.
In the General Assembly Wyss is chair of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security, Transportation, and Veteran Affairs and also serves as the ranking member of the Senate Rules and Legislative Procedure Committee. He is also a member of the Senate Appropriations and Local Government committees.
Beyond his leadership roles in the Senate, he is co-chair of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Homeland Security and Preparedness Task Force and vice-chair of the NCSL Law and Criminal Justice Committee.
He serves as a member of the U.S. Department of Justice's GLOBAL Advisory Committee and Intelligence Working Group and also worked with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as a member of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Emergency Preparedness Task Force and the Advisory Committee for the Homeland Security Advisory Council. He is also a member of the National Homeland Security Consortium and the Indiana Counter-Terrorism and Security Council.
Additionally, he is a founding member of the Fort Wayne Crime Stoppers Advisory Board and a board member of the Northeast Indiana Burn Center and Hoosier Burn Camp.
Wyss has been recognized multiple times for his legislative efforts. He has received several honors for his legislation to combat drunk driving, including the National Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Award and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Award for Public Service.
He recently received the Legislator of the Year award from the Disabled American Veterans, the Distinguished Public Service award from the Indiana American Legion, and the Lifetime Service Award from the Indiana Association of Chiefs of Police. In 2013 he was recognized with the Charles Dick Award from the National Guard Association of the United States, which is presented to federal and state legislators and governors.
Wyss is the only person to receive that award twice.
Professionally, Wyss worked at General Electric for 39 years. He graduated from Indiana University – Purdue University Fort Wayne with an associate degree in industrial management. He lives in Fort Wayne and attends St. Vincent's Catholic Church. He and his late wife Shirley were married in 1965, and he has two daughters and five grandchildren.
VINCENNES UNIVERSITY – Indiana's First College
VU is state-supported with campuses in Vincennes and Jasper and additional sites such as Indianapolis and the Gibson County Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Logistics. VU also offers instruction at military sites throughout the nation.
In addition to offering 200 associate degree and certificate programs, VU also offers bachelor's degree programs in technology, homeland security, nursing, secondary education programs in mathematics and science, and special education/elementary education.
VU enrolls students from throughout Indiana, 28 other states, and 30 countries. Tuition and fees are the lowest among Indiana campuses with residence halls. VU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Founded in 1801, VU is Indiana's first college and is the only college in the nation founded by an individual who would later become President of the United States. William Henry Harrison, the ninth U.S. President, founded VU while serving as governor of the Indiana Territory. More information is available at www.vinu.edu.
Source :Vincennes University