Citizen of the Year
Citizen of the Year Award
2025 Application is CLOSED!
Deadline to nominate a member of the community is December 5th
Announcement will be made at the State of the City address in 2026.
ANYONE WHOSE NAME APPEARED ON A PUBLIC BALLOT AND IS CURRENTLY SERVING IN AN ELECTED POSITION IS NOT ELIGIBLE.
What is the citizen of the year award?
The city wishes to show our appreciation and gratitude to community members that pour so much into our community outside of their normal work.
The Citizen of the Year Award will be presented annually, at the State of the City presentation, to an individual who has performed outstanding service or made exceptional voluntary contributions to the community during the previous year.
Anyone with community contact may nominate someone who they feel meets the criteria of the award. The recipient of the award will be made aware prior to the award ceremony.
How do we select a recipient?
When selecting the recipient for this award, the Committee looks for an individual who, among other attributes, continually gives of his or her time, dedication and talents to the betterment of the community. The Committee also looks for those individuals who lend leadership and vision, organize or assist in achieving organizational goals, who serve on service or school committees and youth programs lending his or her expertise and guidance voluntarily and have advanced or helped the quality of life in Auburn.
Who is the committee?
- Current Mayor and Chief of Staff
- Current Council President
- Current Clerk Treasurer
- The City of Auburn Human Resource Director
- Representatives from both the Police and Fire Departments
How do I nominate someone?
If you have a friend, neighbor or relative you feel has given unselfishly to help others or who meets any of the above criteria, you may fill out an application online or print and mail a completed application to P.O. Box 506, Auburn IN, 46706.
2025 Citizen of the Year - Tyler Cleverly
This year’s Citizen of the Year, a person who has shown unwavering dedication to improving the well-being of DeKalb County—Tyler Cleverly.
Tyler's commitment to our community is nothing short of inspiring. He has poured his heart into numerous organizations and causes, always striving to make a difference. He has served on various committees and boards, including St. Martin’s Healthcare, Neighborlink DeKalb County, Drug Free DeKalb, Young Professionals of DeKalb County, and United Way of DeKalb County. But it is his role as Executive Director of the United Way of DeKalb County that truly highlights his tireless work to make our community stronger.
Tyler’s work is fueled by his passion for helping others. In 2020, he was honored with the Helping Hand Award from United Way, a well-deserved recognition of his exceptional service. He works incredibly hard, often logging 60 to 80-hour work weeks, and even more in June as he prepares for the United Way’s Annual Day of Caring event—an event that has become a cornerstone of our community’s efforts to give back.
Through his dedication, Tyler has shown us all what it means to put others first, to serve with integrity, and to work tirelessly for the betterment of our community. We are deeply grateful for his contributions and the positive change he continues to create.
Congratulations, Tyler, on being named Citizen of the Year. Your passion, hard work, and commitment inspire us all to do our part in making DeKalb County an even better place to live.