Illinois—Melinda Ucci, an 87-year-old member of the Rochelle Seventh-day Adventist Church, was honored on Oct. 12, 2007, during the McElmurry Ethics & Society Lectureship on the campus of Andrews University. The theme of the lecture series was prison ministries, and Ucci has been personally involved in this ministry for more than 20 years.

Ken Denslow, president of the Illinois Conference, interviewed Ucci before she was presented with a plaque by Russell Staples, chair of the planning committee. Ucci began a prison ministry in 1986 at the Dixon, Illinois, Correctional Center. At first, she came as a visitor to meet individually with two prisoners, but the numbers grew, and she was at the prison from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. three days a week for a period. She was granted the status of volunteer, and conducted group meetings of worship. In 2000, she was named Volunteer of the Year.

Denslow later remarked, "The more I get to know Millie Ucci, the more I am amazed at what one little lady can do when she is committed to touch others for Jesus."

Patricia Spangler, assistant director of University Relations, Andrews University