Four earn IU Kokomo Alumni Hall of Fame recognition

KOKOMO, Ind. - Four Indiana University Kokomo alumni will join a distinguished group of graduates recognized for their professional accomplishments, community service, and contributions to the Kokomo campus when they are inducted into the IU Kokomo Alumni Hall of Fame.

Lori Dukes, Douglas Hall, Ph.D., Dr. Christopher Hayes, and Jennifer Hindman, DBA, will be honored at an induction ceremony Thursday, October 1, in Alumni Hall, as part of Homecoming festivities. Networking will begin at 6 p.m., followed by the induction ceremony and dinner.

"The annual Alumni Hall of Fame awards are the highest honor given to IU Kokomo alumni," said Benjamin Liechty, director of alumni relations. "I always look forward to this event to recognize our alumni. Every year, we highlight some of our very best, and this year is no different. Each recipient has been a leader in their communities, in their professions, and has supported their alma mater in a multitude of ways."

The event is free, but registration is required, at events.iu.edu/event/2368479-iu-kokomo-2026-alumni-hall-of-fame.

Liechty said nominations for future Alumni Hall of Fame cohorts are accepted year-round at go.iu.edu/4qCAtQ

Alumni Hall of Fame recipients include:

• Lori Dukes is president and CEO of the Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance, where she oversees the organization's operations and works with its five divisions to promote community prosperity. She brings more than 23 years of experience in operations, workforce development and business development. Previously, she served as regional operations manager for TFT Global in Lafayette, Indiana, where she launched the organization's Indiana Region start-up segment. During her tenure at the Alliance, Dukes has led major initiatives and organizational growth, including development of the Kokomo Conference Center downtown. She also helped secure Inventrek's recertification as an Indiana Certified Tech Park, expanded The Drive competition and increased the organization's use of grant funding to support operations and new programs. A Kokomo native, Dukes serves on several community, regional and state boards and committees, including the City of Kokomo Revolving Loan Fund and Indiana University Kokomo's Chancellor's Advisory Board. She earned her Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from IUK.
• Doug Hall, Ph.D., is a higher education professional with more than 20 years of experience in recruitment, retention, training and career development. He currently serves as vice president of career and professional development at High Point University, where he has been part of the university community for more than a decade and has served as an instructor in the Nido R. Qubein School of Communication. After graduating from IU Kokomo, Hall began his higher education career as an admissions counselor at Indiana State University. He has also served organizations in North Carolina's Piedmont Triad region, including North Carolina A&T State University, Wake Forest University, Atrium Wake Forest Baptist Health and the City of Greensboro. Hall earned a Ph.D. in Educational Management from Hampton University, a Master of Science (MS) in Instructional Technology from North Carolina A&T State University and a BA in Communication from IU Kokomo. A Clifton StrengthsFinder Coach, he is passionate about guiding emerging professionals in their personal and career growth. He and his wife, Aiysha, have three children: Laiylah, Lenah and Micah.
• Dr. Christopher Hayes is a practicing dentist at CAN Community Health in Jacksonville, Florida, where he also serves on the pharmacy & therapeutics committee representing dental services. With nearly a decade of clinical dental experience, he brings expertise in clinical practice and healthcare administration to his work. Hayes earned his DDS from the IU School of Dentistry in 2016 and completed advanced fellowship training in implant dentistry. He also holds a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Business from IU, combining a business background with his clinical experience. In addition to patient care, Hayes has contributed to dental education through teaching experience at NYU. His work reflects a commitment to community health, oral health equity and professional development, with a focus on advancing patient care in his current role.
• Jennifer Hindman, DBA, is a healthcare executive with more than 25 years of experience in strategy, operations, workforce development and organizational transformation. She currently serves as president, Central Region for Community Health Network, providing executive leadership for Community Hospital North and Community Hospital East. Hindman began her career as a nationally registered paramedic and has since led work across acute care hospitals, ambulatory services, human resources, organizational development, physician operations and regional health system administration. Her leadership has focused on operational excellence, strategic growth, patient access, caregiver engagement and community partnerships. A Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, Hindman also serves on several community and professional boards. She earned a Doctor of Business Administration from Indiana Wesleyan University, a Master of Arts from Ball State University and a bachelor's degree from IU Kokomo. A lifelong Hoosier, she is committed to mentoring emerging leaders and improving healthcare delivery. She and her husband, Cam, have been married for 33 years, and she is the mother of Conner and the late Cale.

Education is KEY at Indiana University Kokomo.