December 11, 2002

Robert Boyd named Sagamore of the Wabash

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. — Standing on the dais in front of nearly every school superintendent in Indiana, many of whom he had personally trained, Robert Boyd, associate professor of educational leadership, administration and foundations, received the "Sagamore of the Wabash" award, the highest accolade that the governor of Indiana can bestow on a citizen, honoring a lifetime of community and civic service. 

The presentation took place Dec. 5 at the annual conference of the Indiana Association of Public School Superintendents in the Marriott East Hotel in Indianapolis.

After being introduced and given the framed scroll by Heather Macek, the governor's assistant for education, he thanked his wife, Betty, for her support throughout his career and stated that this was the third time in his life he had been so humbled, the first two being the births of each of his children.

"It is an honor to be a recipient of this special award in front of so many special people. I accept this award on the condition that you acknowledge a piece of it belongs to each of you," Boyd said as he thanked the superintendents for their professional and personal friendships over the years.

Boyd was nominated by Mark Myers, assistant professor of education at Indiana University-Purdue University, Fort Wayne and an ISU alumnus.

"Bob was my adviser at ISU and chaired my doctoral dissertation committee. I nominated him because Bob is loyal to Indiana, ISU and the hundreds of men and women he has helped prepare as school leaders. But more significant than the administrators Bob has helped, thousands of children walk through a schoolhouse door every day in our state and have better instruction and more opportunities because of Bob Boyd's dedication to providing capable and competent leadership for our schools."

Thomas Rohr, superintendent of Clay Community Schools, is one of the educational leaders to benefit from a professional relationship with Boyd. "I have worked with Dr. Boyd on many projects for Clay Community Schools and also through the ISU Educational Development Council," Rohr said. "He has helped shape the thinking of many of the current practitioners in the field of educational administration and has the unique ability to bring education administration into real life through his personal experiences and background."

Love of Indiana and especially Indiana State University was very apparent as Boyd spoke of why he thought he had been nominated, "I've spent 32 years in public education in Indiana, I know the people and have worked with them, but my most satisfying moments have been at ISU where I've had an incredible forum and the opportunity to train superintendents, sharing personal experiences from the field and try to prepare them to do their best in their leadership positions. I can't say enough about ISU in my life."

Respect, adoration and an appreciation of his sense of humor seem to be common characteristics of those who have worked with him, both past and present.

Kay Taylor, administrative assistant in the Office of the President, who previously worked for Boyd said, "He is certainly a professor who takes students' best interests to heart and goes the extra mile for them. I enjoyed working with him. He encouraged me to take classes and I was able to get my degree from ISU."

Sandy Shields, student services assistant in the administrative placement office in the School of Education was elated upon finding out that Boyd was to receive the Sagamore award. "I think it's great and well deserved," she said. "He always has the students' welfare at heart. He makes himself available when he's off campus, so that he can help with any problem even when he's away. He mentors superintendents who are out in the field, really going above and beyond the call of duty to offer the access to his knowledge and experience."

Boyd has served in many facets of the educational world, including as an elementary school teacher, secondary school teacher, assistant principal and principal. He also served as superintendent of Crotherville Community Schools and Madison Consolidated Schools. Currently, he is finishing up an interim superintendent position with the Linton school system in addition to his duties at ISU.

The Sagamore award was created during the term of Governor Ralph Gates who served from 1945 to 1949. Then-Governor Gates was to attend a tri-state meeting with officials from the states of Ohio and Kentucky in Louisville. Aides to the governor discovered that the governor of Kentucky was preparing Kentucky Colonel certificates for Governor Gates and Senator Robert A. Taft, who was to represent the state of Ohio. The Hoosiers decided that Indiana should have an appropriate award to present in return.

The term "sagamore" was used by the American Indian Tribes of the northeastern United States to describe a lesser chief or a great man among the tribe to whom the true chief would look for wisdom and advice.

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Contact:
Robert Boyd, associate professor, School of Education
(812) 237-3804 or eaboyd@isugw.indstate.edu

Writer:
Curt Koehler, Public Affairs, (812) 237-3791, devkoehl@isugw.indstate.edu

ISU Public Affairs:
(812) 237-3773 or http://isunews.indstate.edu