Medal honors public service, achievement

The small, shining medal is more than a reproduction of the decorative jewel it’s modeled after. It’s a symbol of gratitude and honor.

The President’s Medal for Excellence, which was most recently awarded to exiting Provost Karen Hanson on Jan. 12, is given to those who have achieved greatness in their profession, public service and/or service to the University.

The medal was first awarded in 1985 under then-IU President John Ryan, who instituted the award.

“President Ryan was looking for a way to publicly celebrate an individual achievement for those who had given a lot to the University in terms of public service or outstanding scholarship and research,” said Robin Gress, secretary of the Board of Trustees. “They were designed to celebrate and acknowledge those achievements.”

Fewer than 75 individuals have received the award, which has been given to members of the IU community who are moving on or retiring, as well as to donors to the University and alumni.

Any individual on any IU campus is eligible for the honor. Some candidates for the medal are suggested by those within the University, such as a school’s dean.
About half directly comes from within the Office of the President, Gress said.

Ultimately, the president of the University approves all nominated persons.

The medal is usually awarded with some degree of festivity and is sometimes tied-in with a celebration event, such as an October 2011 awarding of the medal to professor Dennis Gannon during the dedication of IU’s Cyberinfrastructure Building.

“We want to celebrate accomplishment, and what better way to do that than at a University ceremony, or at commencement?” Gress said. “These are really distinguished individuals, so (the president) likes to publicly acknowledge this.”

Gress has seen a number of medals awarded and noted the appreciation by those honored is always a highlight.

“I’ve been here for 15 years, and it’s my experience that people who receive them are always moved,” she said. “Many times, people that give to the University aren’t looking for public acknowledgement. It means a lot to have their efforts acknowledged. The medals are just a special tribute from the University. It’s a way to say ‘thank you’ for all of their gifts.”

­—Matthew Glowicki