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Sagamore of the Wabash

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Sagamore of the Wabash

The Sagamore of the Wabash is an honorary award created by the U.S. 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.

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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, current Indiana Governor-elect Eric Holcomb has received the award twice and Indiana University chancellor Herman B Wells was honored six times.

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, but below is a partial list of notable recipients and the year they received the award:

  • Alvan V Burch, 1973 by gov Otis Bowen
  • John Gregg, 1989, 1996, 2002 and 2003
  • Mir Masoom Ali, 2002 by Gov. Frank O'Bannon; Ball State University George and Frances Ball Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Statistics
  • Ryan White, 1987 by Gov. Robert Orr
  • Bob Kevoian and Tom Griswold, 1994 and 2008
  • Arie Luyendyk, 1999 by Gov. Frank O’Bannon; 1990 and 1997 Indianapolis 500 winner
  • Bob Chase, 2001 by Gov. Frank O'Bannon; Fort Wayne Komets play-by-play broadcaster.
  • Dorothy Runk Mennen, 2003
  • Thomas McDermott, Jr., 2005; Democratic Mayor of Hammond, Indiana (2004–Present)
  • Mike Delph, January 2005; Indiana State Senator (December 2005 – present)
  • David Letterman, 2007 by Gov. Mitch Daniels; comedian and television host
  • Jeff Gordon, 2015 by Governor Mike Pence, 1994, 1998, 2001, 2004, 2014 Brickyard 400 Winner
  • Donald Davidson, 2016 by Governor Mike Pence
  • Seema Verma, 2016 by Governor Mike Pence
  • Adam Vinatieri, 2017 by Governor Eric Holcomb; placekicker for the Indianapolis Colts (2006-present)

    • 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.

  • 2005: John Wooden, former Purdue University basketball player and college coach
  • 2006: Theodore Hesburgh, former president of the University of Notre Dame
  • 2007: Jane Blaffer Owen, in recognition of her philanthropic efforts in historic preservation and the arts
  • 2008: Bill Gaither and Gloria Gaither, musicians
  • 2009: Donald C. Danielson, New Castle business and civic leader
  • 2010: Carl Erskine, former Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers baseball player
  • 2011: William A. Cook, entrepreneur, philanthropist and historic preservationist, co-founded the medical equipment manufacturer Cook Group
  • 2012: Ian M. Rolland, former chairman and CEO of Lincoln National Corp.
  • 2013: Don Wolf, former President and CEO of Do-It Best Corporation based in Fort Wayne, IN
  • 2014: Nathan P. Fink, former President of Hagerman Construction Corporation based in Fort Wayne, IN

    • 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 9, 2005.

    References

    Sagamore of the Wabash Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA