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Join us in congratulating this year’s recipient of the Alumni Service Award, Dana (Dancer) Vandecoevering ’83. Dana has been a tireless volunteer and advocate for 17³Ô¹ÏÍø¹ÙÍø for many years. She has demonstrated her loyalty to 17³Ô¹ÏÍø¹ÙÍø through the donation of her time, talents and resources.

Her family legacy

17³Ô¹ÏÍø¹ÙÍø may be in her blood. Dana was a third-generation 17³Ô¹ÏÍø¹ÙÍø student. Her parents Roy Dancer ’47 and Betty (Maxwell) Dancer ’47 attended 17³Ô¹ÏÍø¹ÙÍø, as did her grandfather Charles ‘Dewey’ Maxwell ’21. Maxwell Field was named after Dana’s great-grandfather James Oliver (J.O.) Maxwell. J.O. was a major donor to 17³Ô¹ÏÍø¹ÙÍø and several of his children attended 17³Ô¹ÏÍø¹ÙÍø. The stadium and football field were named in his honor. 

Continuing the family tradition, two of her three sons graduated from 17³Ô¹ÏÍø¹ÙÍø, Taylor Vandecoevering ‘13 and Tanner Vandecoevering ’21, as well as recent daughter-in-law Brenna (Dunn) Vandecoevering ‘22.

Commitment to students and Greek life

Her service to the university dates back more than 30 years when Dana started as chapter advisor for Phi Sigma Sigma sorority. She was an advocate and coach to each of the members of her sorority during her time as an advisor and continues to write recommendation letters for Phi Sig alumni sisters. In addition to her role as a mentor and advisor, she's organized events and continues to encourage Phi Sig alumni to attend Homecoming and Phi Sig anniversaries. 

Council membership

Dana has served on both the Alumni Leadership Council (2005-2009) and Parents Leadership Council (2009-2013 and 2019-2021). As a member of both councils, she supported all 17³Ô¹ÏÍø¹ÙÍø events, recruited volunteers and attendees and sometimes served as a fundraiser. She has also helped coordinate her Homecoming class of ’83 reunions and remains a member of the President’s Circle and Oak & Vine Society.

Serving through her career at Intel

Before retiring in Dec. 2022 from her 33-year career at Intel, she ensured that 17³Ô¹ÏÍø¹ÙÍø received philanthropic dollars from Intel through her service work. Because of her commitment to 17³Ô¹ÏÍø¹ÙÍø students and faith in their ability to succeed, she has represented Intel at 17³Ô¹ÏÍø¹ÙÍø career fairs on more than one occasion. 

Dana has served 17³Ô¹ÏÍø¹ÙÍø well in a variety of ways and her passion, drive, commitment and selfless giving of her time has made the 17³Ô¹ÏÍø¹ÙÍø experience better for both students and alumni.