Alpha Sigma Alpha National Headquarters, Indianapolis — Denise Swanson has been selected to receive Alpha Sigma Alpha's most distinguished honor, the Recognition of Eminence. Denise is one of 12 members in Alpha Sigma Alpha history to receive this award. The Recognition of Eminence honors alumnae whose professional or community achievements have attracted recognition far beyond the circle of Alpha Sigma Alpha membership. The award was created in celebration of the Sorority's 50th anniversary in 1951.

"I am beyond thrilled to receive the Recognition of Eminence," said Denise. "It is a true honor to be recognized by the Sorority for my professional achievements."

Denise Swanson is a New York Times best-selling-author with her two most famous series, the Scumble River Mystery series and the Deveraux's Dime Story Mystery series.

Her continuing Scumble River Mystery series is set in Scumble River, a fictional small town in Illinois, and features Skye Denison, a full-figured school psychologist-sleuth who is torn between a handsome police chief and an urbane coroner. All of her books are in multiple printings and many have been featured in the Barnes & Noble mass-market mystery section and best-sellers lists. They have also been nominated for numerous awards, such as the Agatha Award, the Mary Higgins Clark Award and the Reviewers Choice Award. Five of her recent books, Murder of a Stacked Librarian, Murder of the Cat's Meow, Murder of a Wedding Belle, Murder of a Bookstore Babe and Murder of a Creped Suzette, debuted on The New York Times' best-sellers list. Murder of a Stacked Librarian is the sixteenth and latest book in this series.

As a member of Alpha Sigma Alpha, Denise found a connection with her sisters that she missed growing up as an only child. When she wrote her first Scumble River mystery, Denise knew that her main character, Skye Denison, had to have that same lifelong connection, so Skye is also a member of Alpha Sigma Alpha.

Denise is an active member of the Chicago West Alumnae Chapter and currently serves as vice president and program committee member. She encourages all alumnae to join an alumnae chapter so they, too, can continue to discover amazing friendships with their Alpha Sigma Alpha sisters.

Denise lives in Illinois with her husband, classical composer David Stybr.

The national council of Alpha Sigma Alpha awards Denise the Recognition of Eminence during the 2014 National Convention & Leadership Conference in San Antonio on Saturday, July 12.

About Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority
Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority is dedicated to developing women of poise and purpose. Since its founding in 1901 at Longwood University in Farmville, Virginia, the Sorority has grown into a strong organization consisting of more than 175 collegiate and alumnae chapters and associations nationwide. For more information on Alpha Sigma Alpha, please visit http://www.AlphaSigmaAlpha.org