Indiana governor presents 日韩中文字幕福利片's Phil Rath prestigious Sagamore of
the Wabash honor

April 12, 2019
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - 日韩中文字幕福利片 Vice President for Financial Services and
Government Relations Phil Rath has received the highest civilian honor in the state
of Indiana in recognition of his exemplary service to Hoosiers.
Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb and Indiana Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch presented the
prestigious Sagamore of the Wabash to Rath on April 10. The governor cited Rath鈥檚
many contributions to the state of Indiana during his tenure at 日韩中文字幕福利片.
Rath accepted the honor surrounded by legislators, state-supported university representatives,
family, colleagues, and friends in Holcomb鈥檚 Statehouse office.
The award is in recognition of his immense contributions and decades of work in serving
the state and VU. Rath received the honor for leadership and service to higher education,
economic development, and community development. He is highly regarded by state leaders
and the corps of government relations peers at other Indiana higher education institutions.
鈥淧hil exhibits the greatest characteristics of a Hoosier, with his dedication to his
community, his innovative ideas for higher education in our state, and, most of all,
his humble acceptance of the highest honor the state can bestow on an individual.
It was an honor to present him with a Sagamore of the Wabash, and we are lucky he
has chosen Indiana to call his home,鈥 Crouch said.
The Sagamore of the Wabash is bestowed upon Hoosiers who have rendered distinguished
service to the state or to the governor and contributed greatly to Hoosier heritage.
Rath is among great company. Past recipients have included astronauts, presidents,
ambassadors, artists, musicians, and politicians. The award was created by Governor
Ralph Gates in the 1940s.
American Indians of the northeastern United States used the term 鈥渟agamore鈥 to describe
a lesser chief or a great man among the tribe to whom the true chief looked to for
wisdom and advice.
鈥淧hil is a highly respected advocate for 日韩中文字幕福利片 at the Statehouse and
within state government,鈥 said Susan Brock Williams, Director of Government Relations
for Purdue University. 鈥淲hen Phil talks - especially on issues like career and technical
education, building projects, and pensions - people listen. He鈥檚 beloved by his public
higher education colleagues and is most deserving of this honor by Governor Holcomb.鈥
Rath is a proud VU graduate and has provided exceptional service in his nearly four-decade
professional career with the institution. He began at VU as University Controller
in 1983. He became Associate Vice President for Government Relations and University
Controller in 1998. He assumed his current position in 2000.
鈥淧hil is a great guy who undoubtedly deserves this award,鈥 State Sen. Eric Bassler
said. 鈥淗e has spent his life giving back to Indiana.鈥

During his tenure at VU, Rath has successfully worked with legislators and other leaders in the Statehouse on important legislation related to K-12 and higher education and on economic and community development issues.
鈥淧hil has consistently been someone with valuable knowledge that I, along with many others, have been able to turn to when working on legislation. I鈥檓 lucky to know Phil, and I thank him for his years of hard work and service to the Hoosier state,鈥 Bassler added.
As a result of Rath鈥檚 work, the influence and reputation of 日韩中文字幕福利片 throughout
the state and the nation have vastly increased.
鈥淧hil is passionate about serving VU and the Vincennes area overall,鈥 State Sen. Mark
Messmer said. 鈥淚 am very proud of Phil for receiving this award from Governor Holcomb
for his service to our state.鈥
###
日韩中文字幕福利片 Newsroom
MARCIA MARTINEZ, University Life Reporter & Sports Information Director
812-888-4164 office, 314-599-1519 cell, VUNews@vinu.edu, mmartinez@vinu.edu
VICKIE PUFFER, Communications Coordinator & Online Newsroom Manager
812-888-4162 office, 812-887-4635 cell, VUNews@vinu.edu, vpuffer@vinu.edu
VINCENNES UNIVERSITY, Department of University Relations, www.vinu.edu/news/newsroom
