Walter A. Davis Service Award

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History

The Walter A Davis Citation has been presented each year since 1952 including 3 years with dual recipients.

Walter A Davis spent his career dedicated to educational opportunities and community development in many roles including: K-12 educator and school administrator; Superintendent of Schools in Bicknell – Go Bulldogs! – and later in Covington, Indiana; through the army where he was able to create schools for service-members and veterans; and finally at Vincennes University where after spending two short years, his leadership was recognized by the Board of Trustees and he was appointed President of Vincennes University, a post he held for 25 years. 

The Vincennes University Alumni Association is now accepting nominations for the 2021 Walter A. Davis Memorial Citation. If you know someone that has given outstanding service to our community and is a resident of the greater Vincennes area or a VU Alum please nominate them!

Previous Recipients of the Walter A Davis Award

  • 1952 Curtis G. Shake
  • 1953 Oris H. Wright
  • 1954 Edward H. Kuhn
  • 1955 Robert W. Schultheis
  • 1956 Marie C. Simon
  • 1957 Joseph W. Kimmell
  • 1958 Byron R. Lewis
  • 1959 Raymond C. Beless
  • 1960 Frank R. Sargent
  • 1961 Dr. Charles W. Whitman
  • 1962 Ruth E. Staninger
  • 1963 Dr. C.P Fox
  • 1964 John E. Welsh
  • 1965 Carl L. Schaller
  • 1966 Clarence J. McCormick
  • 1967 Lyman H. Bell
  • 1968 Adler M. Lyons
  • 1969 Dale W. Courter
  • 1970 H. Wallace Rutledge
  • 1971 Dr. Frederic Spencer
  • 1972 Woodrow W. Allen
  • 1973 Rudi K. Wittrock
    • Marie Clark
  • 1974 Ellis C. Madding
  • 1975 Wyant Baker
  • 1976 Robert E. Green
  • 1977 Ross H. Garrigus
  • 1978 Gerald J. Minderman
  • 1979 Robert E. Gramelspacher
  • 1980 Joseph V. Riley
  • 1981 Dr. Isaac K. Beckes
  • 1982 Ona F. Reitmeyer
  • 1983 Bernard G. Niehaus
  • 1984 Otis Kennedy Anderson
  • 1985 Mary Gladys Wheeler
  • 1986 Albert Rosenberg
  • 1987 Herbert C. Pepmeier
  • 1988 Dr. Joseph E. Humphrey
  • 1989 William A. Niblack
  • 1990 Horace A. Foncannon
  • 1991 John Joseph Summers
  • 1992 Dr. Louie 0. Dayson
  • 1993 Rev. James T. Wheeler
  • 1994 Robert V. Bierhaus
  • 1995 Carroll C. Hamner
  • 1996 Dr. Paul E. Brocksmith
  • 1997 Donald G. Bell
  • 1998 Walter L. Madden
  • 1999 Barbara DeBoer
  • 2000 Maridell M. Sargent
  • 2001 C. James McCormick
  • 2002 Judge Sidney Gelb
  • 2003 Dr. & Mrs. Walter Vaughn
  • 2004 Dr. Phillip M. Summers
  • 2005 Shirley S. Rose
  • 2006 James H. Gislason
  • 2007 Robert A. Grumieaux
  • 2008 Rabb Emison
  • 2009 George S. Ridgway
  • 2010 Frank S. Ladner
  • 2011 Rexford C. Early
  • 2012 Rowe D. Sargent
  • 2013 Robert “Gus” Stevens
  • 2014 Pat A. Summers
  • 2015 John M. Lyons
  • 2016 Dr. & Mrs. Richard Helton
  • 2017 Honorable Jim R. Osborne
  • 2018 Christina M. Ernst
  • 2019 Phil Rath
  • 2020 Dr. Daniel Combs
  • 2022 Gazella A. Summitt
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Gazella a. Summitt

Gazella Summitt is a well-known figure across the Vincennes University community. Employed at VU for 45 years, she served as Secretary to President Issac K. Beckes, Affirmative Action Officer, and Director of Human Resources. Since retirement, Gazella has continued to remain active at the school through the VU Foundation & Alumni Association. Led by her desire for peace, equality, and fairness, she overcame gender and racial barriers with admirable grace and an undeniable positive attitude rooted in her faith. Gazella Summitt emerged a highly respected, successful Individual. She is a true Trailblazer.

Gazella has supported the community, state, and nation through numerous leadership roles and committee appointments with organizations such as the Vincennes Education Foundation, Federal Emergency Management Board, Vincennes Housing Authority, Generations, YMCA, United Way, Walk America and the American Association of Affirmative Action. She was named a Sagamore of the Wabash by former Governor Evan Bayh, and a Distinguished Hoosier by Governor Mitch Daniels in recognition of her service to the state of Indiana. Through all of her achievements, Gazella is most proud when speaking about her family. Gazella’s greatest achievements have always been shared with her late husband, Paul, and her children Krista and Dana.

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Walter A. Davis

Walter A. Davis was born in 1882 near Princeton, Indiana. He received his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees from Indiana University, the latter in 1913. He taught in the Gibson county schools and later became a school administrator. He served as Superintendent of Schools at Bicknell, Indiana from 1907 to 1911 and held the same post at Covington, Indiana from 1912-1918. In 1918 he joined the United States Army and became Director of Educational Activities for the Army YMCA in San Antonio, Texas. After World War I, Davis remained in the Army until 1922, serving on the headquarter’s staff of the Eighth Army Corps. In this capacity he helped establish and supervise schools for servicemen awaiting discharge. Davis later conducted work in the rehabilitation and education of former soldiers.

Davis first came to Vincennes University in 1922 to head what was called the “Department of Rehabilitation.” The following year he became a professor of education and the head of the School of Education. In 1924 he was chosen by the Board of Trustees as President of Vincennes University. Davis then went on to lead the University through 25 years of change. In addressing the Board of Trustees, when announcing his resignation in May of 1947, Davis called attention to the fact that substantial gains had been made in obtaining adequate financial support, broadening and enriching the academic program, and enlarging and better equipping the educational plant. He also added that even greater improvements would be needed in the next few years. After accepting his resignation, the Board made Walter A. Davis President Emeritus of Vincennes University

2022 Walter A. Davis Citation

Registration is now open:

Saturday, November 12, 2022 at 6:00 PMEastern Standard Time

Vincennes University Green Activities Center
120 Harrison Dr
Vincennes, IN 47591
United States

Walter A. Davis Citation
Ticket Order Form (Tickets available through Friday, November 4th.)
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If paying by cash or check, please submit your information and payment may be dropped off at the Dayson Foundation and Alumni Center before the night of the dinner.

Checks only may be made returned by mail. 

Please make checks payable to: VU Foundation and mail to: VU Alumni Association, 1002 N. First St., DC-38, Vincennes, IN 47591

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2020 Walter A. Davis Citation Award Ceremony

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