Richmond, Ind. — The Wayne County Foundation is honored to recognize Becky Jewison as the recipient of the 2025 Charles A. Rodefeld Award and Lee Ann Adams as the recipient of the 2025 Ruth J. Wickemeyer Award. These prestigious awards are the highest form of recognition from the Foundation: the Rodefeld Award recognizes lifetime achievement in philanthropy, and the Wickemeyer Award recognizes achievement in nonprofit leadership or service.
Becky has a long history of servant leadership expressed through volunteerism, board service, and financial support. Having contributed to well over 15 nonprofits — including Every Child Can Read, Reid Health and the Reid Foundation, Girl Scouts, Tri Kappa, A Better Way/Genesis, and Richmond Civic Theatre, among many others — her commitment and dedication have left a lasting mark across the sector. Becky, along with her family, also established the Jimmy Miller Fund, a donor advised fund at the Wayne County Foundation, created to honor her brother’s life and carry forward his legacy of inclusion and joy. Becky was nominated by Every Child Can Read.
Lee Ann spent much of her professional career working in the School of Education at Indiana University East, where she made an impact on thousands of students. Today, she volunteers nearly 20 hours each week at the Richmond Friends School, nurturing early literacy through books and singing in the pre-k and kindergarten classrooms at Trueblood Preschool. From empowering individuals with disabilities by volunteering with the Independent Living Center of Eastern Indiana to teaching adults how to read with the Wayne County Literacy Coalition, it’s clear that Lee Ann has changed countless lives in our community for the better. Lee Ann was nominated by Richmond Friends School.
The selection committee reviewed an outstanding group of candidates, but Becky and Lee Ann rose to the top for the meaningful and lasting difference they have made in Wayne County’s philanthropic and nonprofit community.
“We are honored to recognize Becky and Lee Ann for the remarkable impact they have made in our community,” said Rebecca Gilliam, Executive Director of the Wayne County Foundation. “Their unwavering commitment to service, generosity, and compassion truly embodies the spirit of these awards, and we look forward to celebrating them alongside the community this summer.”
Every Child Can Read and Richmond Friends School will each receive a $5,000 unrestricted grant from the Foundation in honor of their nominees.
The Wayne County Foundation will host a special celebration in honor of Becky and Lee Ann at the annual Summer Celebration later this year. This event will provide an opportunity for the community to come together and recognize their outstanding efforts in making Wayne County a better place for all.
Since 1979, the Wayne County Foundation has existed to foster and encourage private philanthropic giving, to enhance the spirit of community, and to improve the quality of life in the Wayne County, Indiana, area now and for future generations.