MARION, Ind. (Aug. 21, 2025)  — Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) is proud to announce Dwight Ott as the recipient of the 2025 Tony Maidenberg Community Service Award, in recognition of his extraordinary leadership, decades of service and enduring love for the Marion and Grant County community.

“Dwight’s contributions to Marion are marked by creativity, consistency and love for his community,” said Dr. Jon Kulaga, president of IWU, during the award ceremony. “His work reflects the kind of Christ-centered leadership that IWU seeks to cultivate in every student. He is a true world changer who has used his talents and resources to make a lasting impact in Grant County and beyond.”

Ott, an alumnus of IWU, has called Marion home since childhood. A graduate of Mississinewa High School and IWU’s Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration program, Ott co-founded TLC Management, a senior care organization that now operates 17 facilities across Indiana and Florida. As part owner and chief financial officer, Ott has helped grow TLC to a workforce of more than 3,000 employees, including nearly 100 based in the Marion area.

Beyond his professional achievements, Ott has embodied the university’s values of humility, integrity and kindness through extensive involvement in local nonprofit boards and community projects. His leadership has benefited the Marion Public Library, Cancer Services of Grant County, College Wesleyan Church, the Marion Easter Pageant and the Marion Rotary Club, among others. In recent years, he helped lead the effort to develop a new dog park near Ballard Field, reflecting his belief that enhancing quality of life is key to long-term community renewal.

“Dwight has consistently demonstrated what it means to put faith into action,” said John Jones, vice president of University Advancement. “His integrity, generosity and compassionate leadership have not only strengthened Marion and Grant County but also uplifted countless individuals. In every way, he reflects the humility and kindness that Indiana Wesleyan seeks to foster in its graduates.”

Ott also brings his passion for aviation into service. A licensed pilot since 1991 and helicopter-certified since 2007, he has flown in support of local law enforcement efforts — for which he was recognized by the Indiana Fraternal Order of Police — and helped launch the Rotary Club’s annual Golf Ball Drop fundraiser. His volunteerism, business acumen and deep care for people consistently demonstrate the values championed by the late Tony Maidenberg, for whom the award is named.

As part of the celebration, the award presentation included a special video tribute featuring heartfelt messages of congratulations from three of Ott’s children, as well as his brother, Gary. Their words reflected the deep admiration of those who know him best and underscored his worthiness to receive this honor. The personal testimonies highlighted not only Ott’s professional and community impact but also the integrity, generosity and faith that have shaped his role as a husband, father, brother and leader.

Ott and his wife, Gloria, also an IWU graduate, have been married 40 years and are the parents of four children: Nicholas, Olivia, Alexander and Austin.