Alumni Community Service Award

honors alumni who ahve enhanced the prestige of the university by virtue of their character and integrity through outstanding service in their community..

Name:  Diane (Heidtmann '61) Paetz
Major: Geography and Sociology
Home: St. Louisville, Ohio
Employer: Retired January 1, 2008

Diane (Heidtmann '61) Paetz graduated from Valparaiso University with a bachelor’s degree in geography and sociology and then continued her education with a master’s degree in public administration from Ohio University. Paetz concentrated her professional and volunteering energies to community development, first as fair housing director and then as community development director of Licking County in Newark, Ohio. She served as president of the Licking County League of Women Voters and legislative director of the Ohio League of Women Voters before taking on the presidency of Habitat for Humanity in 1978. During the next decade, Paetz pursued her graduate work and served as a member of the United Way Allocations Division, as a board member of Family Counseling Services, and on The Ohio State University-Newark Citizens Advisory Council. She also began work as a district representative for Aid Association for Lutherans (predecessor of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans), serving in various positions on the Licking County Life Underwriters Association from 1988 to 1995, earning the designation of a chartered life underwriter fellow in 1996. In 2008, Paetz was recognized for her work in the community and was awarded the Licking County Woman of Achievement honor. Paetz is the president of Licking County Coalition of Care, as well as a twice-appointed commissioner with the Licking Metropolitan Housing Authority.