BLOOMINGTON — IU President Pamela Whitten was awarded a Sagamore of the Wabash award Monday.
The award is the highest honor given by the governor. Indiana Gov. Ralph Gates, who served as governor from 1945-49, created the award to recognize distinguished service in the state.
Native American tribes in the northeastern U.S. used “sagamore” to refer to a lesser chief the true chief looked to for wisdom and advice.
“Indiana University’s mission includes serving the people of this state, and it has been my privilege to work alongside so many dedicated individuals who make IU such a vital part of Indiana’s future,” Whitten said at the ceremony.
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Chris Lowery, commissioner for the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, presented the award to Whitten. Her award was one of the last given by Gov. Eric Holcomb.
“Through this work, you have raised the bar for others and set a standard of excellence that has made Indiana University a beacon of progress and opportunity,” Lowery said at the ceremony. “It is a personal privilege to present this award on behalf of Governor Holcomb and a grateful state.”
Whitten is IU’s 19th and first female president, following Michael McRobbie after he retired in June 2021.
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Whitten received criticism from students and faculty in the past year, including a no confidence vote against her, Provost Rahul Shrivastav and Vice Provost for Faculty and Academic Affairs Carrie Dougherty in April 2024.
Less than one week after the vote, on April 25 and 27, Indiana State Police arrested 57 protestors at a pro-Palestinian encampment in Dunn Meadow for violating a policy created one day before the start of the encampment.
The Monroe County Prosecutor dropped all charges in late May.
The IU Board of Trustees affirmed its support for Whitten in April and granted her a $175,500 bonus in September 2024.
