"Patti has been a sterling asset to this organization for many years," said 9NEWS President and General Manager, Mark Cornetta. "Patti has guided our news department through an unprecedented period of success and change. It's difficult to quantify her contributions to 9NEWS because her influence is felt everywhere. We've been lucky to have her leadership and passion as a driving force in our organization."

Dennis' most notable achievements at 9NEWS include coverage of Pope John Paul II's visit to Denver, the tragedy at Columbine, the recent Democratic National Convention and the transition of the news room of old to the Information Center of today. She has witnessed the transition from film, to videotape to digital news gathering and the advent of broadband, mobile and alternative digital distribution streams for a wide array of 9NEWS products.

The Silver Circle is not an award, but rather a society of honor. The Silver Circle was established to recognize individuals who have devoted a quarter of a century or more to the television industry, and who also have made a meaningful and significant contribution to broadcasting and/or new media.

The Heartland Chapter Silver Circle honorees represent the spirit of innovation, passion, creativity and commitment that are the hallmarks of excellence in the television arts and sciences. Last year, the Heartland Chapter honored former 9NEWS reporter and weekend anchor Ward Lucas. Past 9NEWS Silver Circle honorees include anchor Mark Koebrich, former technology director Don Perez, former anchor Ed Sardella, former 9Wants to Know reporter Paula Woodward and former general managers Roger Ogden and Al Flanagan.

Dennis, a proud Sooner and graduate of the University of Oklahoma, began her career at KOCO, then the Gannett station in Oklahoma City, before moving to Dallas and KDFW. She joined 9NEWS, then known as KBTV, in Denver in November of 1981. Please join us in congratulating Patti Dennis, a 2009 inductee into the Heartland Emmy Silver Circle. Her induction ceremony will take place at the Heartland Emmy Awards, Saturday, July 18, 2009.