Vevay's Rita Sullivan Earns Golden Hoosier Award

By Mike Perleberg Rita Sullivan (center) receives the Golden Hoosier Award from Indiana Lieutenant Governor Sue Ellspermann and Indiana Family & Social Services Administration Secretary Dr. John Wernert. Photo provided. (Vevay, Ind.) – One of Switzerland County’s biggest volunteers has been named a recipient of the 2015 Golden Hoosier Awards. The awards were handed out by Indiana Lieutenant Governor Sue Ellspermann at the Indiana Statehouse on Monday. The award, which began in 2008, annually honors a group of outstanding Hoosier senior citizens for their lifetime of service and commitment to their communities. The Golden Hoosier Award is considered one of the highest honors given by the State of Indiana to senior citizens. Among 19 seniors given the award was Vevay resident Rita Sullivan. She is the president of the Vevay American Legion Post #185 Auxiliary. Sullivan is also active in many other organizations and events around the county. She once served on the board of the Switzerland County Community Foundation. “It is my honor to recognize this group of outstanding Senior Hoosiers who are impacting their communities each day,” said Ellspermann. “They represent the true Hoosier spirit of lifelong service and dedication to making a difference in the lives of many people.” To be eligible for the Golden Hoosier Award, a person age 65 or older must be an Indiana resident and been a volunteer in the community for at least the past three years. It’s not the first time a Sullivan has received a prestigious state award. Rita Sullivan’s late husband, Lowell Wayne Sullivan, was posthumously awarded the Sagamore of the Wabash in 2014, three years after his death at age 62. Below is the complete list of 2015 Golden Hoosier Award winners:

- Evelyn Adams, Tobinsport - Dr. Shahid Athar, Zionsville - Betty Blakely, Franklin - Rosa Lee Brown, Indianapolis - Fredette Cash, Hagerstown - David Chnupa, Portage - Bonita Dunbar, Akron - Wade Eaglin, North Vernon - Loren Grahek, Floyds Knobs - Bonnie Kane, Greenwood - Corona Lewis, Carmel - Floran Mast, Elkhart - Norman Melhiser, New Albany - Anna Seaton, Terre Haute - Jesse Shively, Franklin - Frances Stauffer, Indianapolis - Rita Sullivan, Vevay - Steve Talley, Indianapolis - Sarann Weeks, Paoli