On April 6, MIH Executive Director Tim Wiens was honored by his alma mater, Bethel College in North Newton, Kansas, with this year’s Distinguished Alumni Award. The award recognizes individuals who represent the very best of Bethel—those who demonstrate a deep commitment to community and service while creating lasting impact and expanding opportunities for others to live with dignity and purpose.
The award citation highlights Wiens’ “award-winning career advocating for and serving individuals with intellectual disabilities through his leadership and unwavering commitment to inclusion, empowerment, and community-building.” It goes on to note that “Tim’s visionary work has transformed lives, shaped policy, and inspired generations of professionals in the field of disability services.”
A 1974 graduate of Bethel, Wiens has served as MIH’s Executive Director since its founding as a nonprofit in 2020. Under his leadership, MIH has provided housing support services to more than 270 Marylanders with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The organization has helped more than 70 individuals successfully access and maintain inclusive, affordable, and accessible housing, and has trained 140 staff from 43 DDA-licensed agencies to deliver these services.
Prior to MIH, Wiens spent 40 years with the Jubilee Association of Maryland. During his tenure, he helped grow the organization from a single group home serving seven individuals with three employees into a robust agency supporting 140 individuals across more than 70 locations, with a staff of 260.
Brad Kohlman, chair of the Alumni Award Selection Committee, introduced Wiens at the award convocation. “Your career reflects a deep and abiding commitment to service, leadership, and the belief that everyone deserves a place to call home,” Kohlman said. “Your work has transformed systems, strengthened communities, and improved countless lives. You exemplify excellence, and we are proud to honor you as this year’s Distinguished Alumni Award recipient.”
“I was honored to receive this award from the place where I grew up and where I started my career,” said Wiens. “It was a nice touch to have my nephew Bruce in attendance. He has a developmental disability and gets services in his own house in Kansas. I am so proud of the life he has created for himself!”
