Tia Rodda, 2023 Evergreen Award Recipient, left stands next to Evergreen Award Chair Kori Bjorne during the Evergreen Award ceremony on Monday in Marquette. (Courtesy photo)

By Journal Staff

MARQUETTE — Mahatma Ghandi once said: “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others. An Ishpeming woman was honored by her peers for doing just that on Monday.

During its annual luncheon, The Evergreen Award of Marquette County honored Tia Rodda as its newest recipient., Evergreen Committee Chair Kori Bjorne said Rodda sets a great example for the people in her community.

“This year a leader emerges who not only works tirelessly for the community, but also ignites a fire within others to create positive change,” Bjorne said. “She was described by one of her former employees as the best mix of friend and mentor…helping her develop and grow so that she could get a new position at work, even though it meant losing (the person) as her employee.”

Rodda, according to an Evergreen Award of Marquette County release, is a well-known face behind the scenes as a grassroots volunteer who also cultivates a community of volunteers. Rodda works tirelessly a member of the Ishpeming Kiwanis Club, a member of the Ishpeming 4th of July Committee, and chair of the Ishpeming 4th of July Parade. She has served on the board of the Greater Ishpeming-Negaunee Area Chamber of Commerce, was the fan favorite in Dancing with our Stars Marquette County Style, and an active member of the Westwood High School Booster Club and numerous other groups. Rodda does all of this in addition to her career as the assistant vice president and regional Manager of Nicolet Bank.

“Every year I am at this luncheon I think of ways to describe the recipient. Sometimes it’s tenacity, commitment, compassion….while all of these certainly apply to Tia, I think the best word for her is also love,” Bjorne said. The love for her family, her team, the work that she does, her community, volunteering, and inspiring others to volunteer. It all seems to start with love when Tia is a part of it.”

Rodda said she was surprised to learn she was this year’s award recipient.

“I sit here every year and hear about these amazing women but I’m just ME,” Rodda said. “I can’t even believe it.”

The luncheon also honored last year’s recipient, Roxanne Daust, who told her story and thanked the people who helped her along the way.

The $1,000 Evergreen Scholarship was given to Dana Hinckley to continue her education. Nominations for the 2023 award will be accepted during the summer and the winner will be announced at the next Evergreen Luncheon on Oct. 21, 2024.

The Evergreen Award honors individuals who are dedicated to supporting and mentoring women and girls and helping them to reach their leadership potential.

These exceptional women and men excel in their chosen path, devote time and energy to their community in a meaningful way, and blaze trails for others to follow.

Award sponsors include: Cliffs Natural Resources, Embers Credit Union, Range Bank, TV6, Peninsula Medical Center, U.P. Home Health & Hospice, Upper Peninsula Health Plan, Upper Peninsula Power Company, VAST, West End Health Foundation, and the Zonta Club of the Marquette Area.

For more information visit marquette.org/the-evergreen-award-of-marquette-county/.