Alumni and faculty honored by College of Arts and Sciences

Meg Cabot’s advice to believe in oneself rang true when she and other faculty and alumni were honored for their successes on Friday.

The words of Cabot, celebrated author and former IU student, encouraged many distinguished faculty members and alumni as they gathered to celebrate the successes of two IU alumni and one IU professor who never gave up on their passions and excelled in their fields.

The College of Arts and Sciences Alumni Board hosted its annual recognition banquet in the Indiana Memorial Union’s Alumni Hall to honor the literary achievements of alumni Michael Koryta and Cabot as well as to award the research accomplishments of IU professor Olaf Sporns.

Dean of COAS Bennett Bertenthal walked up to the microphone in front of an elegantly dressed crowd and said, “This is an incredibly popular event. We had people who were collecting favors to attend.”

This year’s banquet set a record in attendance, said Janet Smith, vice president of the Alumni Board.

Waiters bustled around hurriedly as guests approached each other as old friends and reminisced about their years at IU. The sounds of a piano floated lightly over the crowd as attendees eventually sat down to dinner.

Bertenthal once again took the stage to present the awards.

“The ability to teach in a way that inspires students should never be underestimated, and we honor professor Olaf Sporns for that,” Bertenthal said.

Sporns, winner of the 2008 Distinguished Faculty Award, is a professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences whose research of the brain has earned him recognition. His most recent endeavor includes untangling and mapping the wiring of the brain.

The next honoree of the evening was Koryta, a mystery novelist. He received the 2008 Outstanding Young Alumni Award.

“It is a privilege to be included in a night of recognition with people like Meg and Olaf,” Koryta said.

Koryta graduated from IU having already published two books, and has recently signed a three-book deal.

“Expect more novels and more successes from him soon,” Bertenthal said.
The last award recipient of the evening was Cabot.

Cabot, who was adorned in a gold dress and heels, received the 2008 Distinguished Alumni Award.

“IU played a huge part of my life. ... Without the University, I would not be here,” Cabot said.

Cabot’s literary works have been a sensation for teenage girls and have even caught the eye of Hollywood. She is best known for her series “The Princess Diaries,” which was made into a movie. Her other series, “The Queen of Babble,” is in the early stages of production to be made into a movie as well. 

After Cabot, Koryta and Sporns received their awards, the banquet ended with all guests standing and singing “Hail to Old IU” before parting ways.

“The main thing to remember is don’t give up if you get rejected,” Cabot said.