Sagamore of the Wabash
The Sagamore of the Wabash is an honorary award created by the state of Indiana during the term of Governor Ralph F. Gates (1945 to 1949). A tri-state meeting was to be held in Louisville with officials from Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky. Aides to Gates learned that the governor of Kentucky was preparing "Kentucky Colonel" certificates for Gates and Senator Robert A. Taft, who was representing Ohio. The Indiana delegation decided to create an appropriate award to present in return.
The term sagamore was the term used by Algonquian-speaking American Indian tribes of the northeastern United States for the tribal chiefs. The Wabash is the "State River" of Indiana and major tributary of the Ohio River. Each governor since Gates has presented the certificates in his own way. Until 2006, the award was the highest honor which the Governor of Indiana bestows, a personal tribute usually given to those who rendered distinguished service to the state or to the governor.
Among those who have received Sagamores have been astronauts, presidents, ambassadors, artists, musicians, politicians, and citizens who have contributed greatly to "Hoosier" heritage. The Sagamore award has been conferred upon both men and women. There is no official record of the total number presented, as each governor has kept his own roll; just as each has reserved the right to personally select the recipients. Some individuals have received the award more than once; for example, Indiana University chancellor Herman B Wells was so honored six times.
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[edit] Recipients of the Sagamore of the Wabash Award
The Sagamore of the Wabash Award does not have an official list of the number of Sagamore of the Wabash awards presented,[1] but below is a partial list of notable recipients:
- Dr. Mike Schatzlein, MD, MBA, 2010[2]
- Thomas McDermott, Jr. Democratic Mayor of Hammond, Indiana 2004-Present, 2005[3]
- Richard T. Doermer, 2004[4]
- David B. Becker: founder, President, and CEO of First Internet Bank, 2004[5]
- Dorothy Runk Mennen, 2003[6]
- Herbert A. Pigman, Rotary International General Secretary 1979-1986, 1993 & 2003[7][8]
- Ellsworth Perin Scott of Madison Indiana, 2001[9]
- Mary Jane Barker Beaman Phillippe, 1991 & 1999[10]
- Len Clark, contribution to broadcasting, 1996[11]
- Robert Sheldon (R. Sheldon) Duecker: 1988 by Gov. Robert Orr; an ordained elder and bishop of The United Methodist Church[12]
- Ryan White, 1987[13]
- Eugene Gigli, (Gene Gigli): Vietnam Veteran and Civil Servant of Indianapolis, Indiana, 1993[14]
[edit] Sachem Award
On March 3, 2006, Governor Mitch Daniels designated another state honor, named the Sachem Award. He determined it would be awarded to only one person each year. The first recipients were former Purdue University basketball player John Wooden (2005 retroactively), and the former president of the University of Notre Dame, Theodore Hesburgh (2006).[15]
[edit] Contents of the award
When a Sagamore of the Wabash is given to a recipient it is accompanied by other artifacts. It's uncertain if the contents of the award vary by year or by recipient. The gallery below shows the contents of a specific award given on January 9th, 2005.
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Folder
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Definition Letter
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Certificate Letter
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Lapel Pin
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ www.in.gov/core/files/Sagamore.pdf
- ^ "Mike Schatzlein Receives State's Highest Honor" Lutheran Health Network, June 17, 2010 accessed April 10, 2011
- ^ "Lake County Democratic Central Committee: Thomas McDermott - Chairman" Lake County Democratic Central Committee, accessed April 11, 2011
- ^ "Doermer School of Business: About Richard T. Doermer" IPFW.edu, accessed April 11, 2011
- ^ http://www.csi-rics.com/company/leadership.aspx
- ^ www.cla.purdue.edu/theatre/documents/Mennen_announcement.pdf
- ^ Derr, Joseph. The Roterian. Rotary International, April 2003, p. 49.
- ^ "Herbert A. Pigman" Rotary Global History Fellowship, accessed April 11, 2011
- ^ McCollum, Konnie "Scout for Life" RoundAbout Madison, Feb, 2008 accessed April 11, 2011
- ^ "Mary jane Barker Beaman Phillippe of Greenwood" Zionzville Times Sentinel, October , 2010 accessed April 11, 2011
- ^ "The Environment Report: Staff & Producers" The Environment Report, accessed April 11, 2011
- ^ obituary[1], accessed 28 Oct 2011
- ^ Indianapolis Monthly, September 2004, Page 143
- ^ "Eugene Gigli, (Gene Gigli): Vietnam Veteran and Civil Servant of Indianapolis, Indiana, 1993" The Indianapolis Star, August 10, 2011, accessed August 12, 2011
- ^ Jankowski, Jane "Wooden first honoree for new award created by Governor Daniels" Governor Daniels Press Release, March 3, 2006 accessed April 10, 2011
