Awards

Bicentennial Medal - 2021

Presidents Circle Laurel Pin - 2018

Benefactor

About Dena Rae Hancock

Before graduating in 1992 with degrees in education and political science, Dena Rae Hancock served as student body president—helping to build legislative support for the construction of the Student Recreational Sports Center. She is now working toward her M.A. in philanthropic studies through the IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.

Dena Rae sits on the IU Faculty Athletics Committee, Varsity Club National Board of Directors, and was chairing the bicentennial campaign for the Women’s Philanthropy Leadership Council. Dena Rae’s first husband, IU graduate Brian Douglas Hiltunen, was recognized for contributions to service learning programs at the IU Center on Philanthropy during his career. He passed away unexpectedly shortly after Elijah’s first birthday.

As a Varsity Club member, Dena Rae and her husband Rob have been active ticket holders for Hoosier football and basketball. In April 2017 Indiana University Athletics announced a major gift from the Hancock Hiltunen Caito Family, naming the Hancock Hiltunen Caito Center for Leadership and Life Skills. The space, to be located in the south end zone of Memorial Stadium, will be dedicated to student-athlete leadership development, service learning, and career development. Furthermore, Dena Rae is a lifetime member of IUAA and gives regularly to many schools and programs across IU. She also supports organizations within IU such as the Dean of Students, Office of the Provost & Executive Vice President and to The Johnson Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. For her unwavering generosity, Hancock was inducted to the Presidents Circle at the Benefactor level.