Barbara Smith Wynne (BS55) of Indianapolis, a magazine publisher, community leader and child advocate, is the recipient of the 2008 Northwestern University Alumni Association Alumni Merit Award for the School of Education and Social Policy. A ceremony on September 26 will honor all the alumni award winners. Wynne, who founded Indy's Child parenting magazine in 1984, continues as publisher and columnist. The award-winning free parenting magazine provides information, guidance and resources for parents, educators and child care providers in the Indianapolis area.
A former Northwestern tennis player, Wynne sees tennis as a means to encourage children's development. She initiated the local USA Tennis National Junior Tennis League program in Indianapolis, which provides low-cost tennis lessons to nearly 2,000 children, and is president of the Indianapolis Junior Tennis Development Program. In honor of her longtime friend Arthur Ashe, who co-founded the NJTL, Wynne originated the Arthur Ashe Essay Contest in 1998.
Wynne and her family also show commitment to children through their philanthropy, the Wynne Foundation.
Alumni Association Merit Awards honor high achievements in a profession or field of endeavor.
Last Modified: 8/14/09