Dr. Terry White and Georgia Tenney were honored as the 2023 Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce Man and Woman of the Year at the chamber’s annual awards dinner on Thursday, Jan. 25. 1st Source Bank and the Warsaw Times-Union sponsored the Man and Woman of the Year awards. Seated, from left, are Tenney and White. Standing, from left, are Warsaw Times-Union Editor David Slone and 1st Source Bank’s Doug Hanes. InkFreeNews photo by Liz Shepherd.

By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — Dr. Terry White and Georgia Tenney were honored as the 2023 Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce Man and Woman of the Year during the 112th annual Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce awards dinner on Thursday, Jan. 25.

Biographies on both White and Tenney were read aloud prior to them being announced as the winners.

The awards are sponsored by Warsaw Times-Union and 1st Source Bank. Times-Union Editor David Slone read the biography on Tenney.

“Our Woman of the Year has been a very active and committed giver of our community for many years,” read Slone. “She has an amazing heart for people and an endless sacrificial energy. One nominator said, ‘I’ve never met anyone more committed to serving the community with her time, energy, and loving heart. Every time I see her, she’s often helping serve someone, whether it’s at a community kitchen, food pantry, skilled nursing facility, church ministry, school board meeting … We are so blessed to have her serve in our community.'”

Tenney was described as going above and beyond for the town of Pierceton through her “contagious and optimistic way of life.” Even though she wasn’t born in Pierceton, her heart and soul belongs to the town.

She worked at Pierceton Middle School for more than 30 years and currently serves on the Whitko School Board. Tenney is also involved with the Pierceton Chamber of Commerce, Pierceton Library Board, Pierceton Christmas Committee and the Pierceton Food Bank.

“A second nominator said, ‘She is truly an outstanding lady,'” read Slone about Tenney. “‘I look up to her and consider her one of my best friends. Her commitment to our community is unmatched and she is always willing to go the extra five miles.'”

“Talk about being shocked,” said Tenney after receiving the award. “I’m truly just shocked, but I am so blessed to be in Kosciusko County. I am so blessed to be a part of the town of Pierceton and I am so blessed to have lived there for 56 years and I intend to continue to live there for another 56.”

1st Source Bank’s Doug Hanes read the biography on White.

“Our Man of the Year has been involved in every facet of our community his entire adult life,” read Hanes. “He loves people and is well-known and loved by many in Kosciusko County. He devotes his time as well as his financial resources for the betterment of our community. One nominator said, ‘I am truly grateful for the privilege of knowing and learning from someone as exceptional as he is. His guidance and support have been invaluable.'”

White is a graduate of Grace College and held many positions at the college, including director of public relations and development officer. He has also spent time as a local historian and wrote a book about the town of Winona Lake. White serves as the chief docent for the Winona Lake History Center and is on the board of directors for the Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts.

“He has been a great advocate for Wagon Wheel with his love being set most around the Symphony of the Lakes,” read Hanes about White. “A second nominator said, ‘I’m impressed with his near photographic memory. His understanding of local history, his outstanding music abilities, and his connections with such a diverse range of people, and his humility … I consider it an honor to have such a great friend and colleague.'”

“Anyone who receives an honor like this knows it’s a group product,” said White. “This is such an honor to serve in this community and to live here. I also want to thank Wagon Wheel for the opportunity to serve on the board. Thank you very much.”