Melinda Hornback

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“It is my goal to advocate for social policy change in the area of child welfare and juvenile justice. I hope to help make life a safer and healthier place for those children and youths who find themselves in the care of the courts. I would also like to empower communities to become healthier places for vulnerable populations to live, especially children.”

  • Alumni of: 2010 Graduate Scholarship Program
  • Resides: Kettle Island, KY
  • Hometown: Fort Knox, KY
  • Age: 49

Biography

 

PROFILE: Once convinced she wasn’t “smart enough for college” Melinda Hornback graduated from community college with a perfect 4.0 grade point average, followed by a 3.99 cumulative average at Indiana Wesleyan. She is a leader who opens her heart to all with whom she comes in touch. Melinda put college on hold while she raised a family and supported her husband while he attended school. Her desired field is social work and she loves to share her life experiences with others. The field is a natural fit for her because to Melinda, no one, no matter how many problems he or she may face, is a lost cause. Melinda formed a clown troupe to brighten the days of the young and old and is in great demand to entertain at nursing homes and orphanages throughout Indiana.

INSPIRATION: While many individuals invested in Melinda’s education and welfare, the one person she singles out is her Phi Theta Kappa advisor at Ivy Tech, Alayne Cook. “She was the one who pushed me to develop leadership skills and provided opportunities to practice them,” Melinda said. Even though Melinda has been gone from Ivy Tech for over three years, she said Ms. Cook remains “one of my cheerleaders.”

ASPIRATION: Melinda is pursuing an M.A. in Social Work, with a focus on policies to help vulnerable children. 

MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Melinda strives to make a positive difference in someone else’s life each day. An achievement she is most proud of is her participation in a study abroad program in Zambia. “I left my husband behind and moved in with roaches, lizards, and spiders for three months,” Melinda said. “I worked with HIV/AIDS patients, prevention programs and community development efforts. I witnessed poverty and human suffering at an unimaginable level. I met parents with AIDS whose only wish was to live long enough to see their infected children be able to take care of themselves. I will never be the same, and I now have Zambian brothers and sisters.” As Melinda prepared to leave Zambia, she realized she could not leave things as she found them so she sponsored a child, and was introduced to him as his American grandmother.   

ACCOLADES: Melinda was named to the All-USA Academic First Team and received the Phi Theta Kappa Distinguished Regional Officer Hallmark Award. She was also named a Coca-Cola Foundation New Century Scholar, and a Guistwhite Scholar. 

INTERESTING FACT: If you’re ever driving through Wabash on Route 15 in Indiana, and you see a red-haired woman on a Harley, she may be Melinda. “I ride a motorcycle and it is twice as big as my husband's motorcycle,” she joked.
 

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