The Iowa High School Speech Association presented the IHSSA Fine Arts Administrator of the Year October 14, 2016, at the Gateway Hotel and Conference Center in Ames. This year’s recipient is Mr. Michael Winker, former Activities Director for Xavier High School in Cedar Rapids, now a Lecturer in the Department of Health & Human Physiology's Sport & Recreation Management program.

Winker has been involved with school activities in Xavier community for many years, before his recent retirement from his position as the Activities Director for Xavier High School in Cedar Rapids. He has been a passionate believer in the arts and activities at Xavier High School and a true supporter for all programs in his school. He has the belief that speech, music, drama, debate, and all activities teach students valuable lessons that they can learn in no other way. Winker has made it his mission to ensure that the students of Xavier High School will have access to quality, thriving activity programs for years to come and that all programs are treated fairly.

In his nomination letter, Xavier High School educator Scott Davidson states, “Mike supports all of the fine arts at Xavier. He can be seen at plays, musicals, band concerts, art shows, show choir concerts, and of course, Speech Showcase. His understanding of how we all share the same students has created a fantastic atmosphere of cooperation in our building. Mike schedules, and sits in on, meetings of all fine arts moderators, where we all discuss rehearsal schedules and calendar issues. Mike’s goal is that students can be involved in multiple activities and that the coaches will work together to make it work”.