Vincennes University awards Eric Holcomb honorary doctorate in public service
Former Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb has been awarded an honorary doctorate in public service from Vincennes University for his dedication to the state.
With a lifelong connection to Vincennes University, Knox County, and the city of Vincennes, the Honorable Eric Holcomb has been awarded an honorary doctorate of public service. His connection to the region goes back generations, which is part of the reason for why the award is so important for the school as well as the 51st Governor of Indiana.
Holcomb was the Governor of Indiana between 2017 and 2025. He was presented with his Honorary Doctorate of Public Service during Vincennes University’s Spring commencement, which took place on May 3, in the P.E. Complex. The university began its tradition of awarding honorary doctorates back in 1952.
Holcomb was quoted in an article posted on Vincennes University’s website talking about the impact of the honor. He said, "As someone with deep Knox County family roots dating back to the 1800s and a lifelong history buff, I couldn't be more sentimental and grateful to Vincennes University for this recognition."
Holcomb’s parents, Marcia and Neil, are both from Knox County, and met each other on the campus of Vincennes University, where they graduated in 1961.
Holcomb went on to say, "Six decades later, I, as Governor, got to work with President (Dr. Chuck) Johnson, faculty, and trustees to support VU's vital state mission. The future productivity of Hoosiers calling Indiana home, both citizens and companies alike, has become dependent on VU's areas of expertise."
Leaders at the university recognized the strong connection Holcomb has to the school, as well as his reputation for being an innovative leader and exceptional professional.
Mike Sievers, who serves as Vincennes University’s Board of Trustees Chairman, spoke highly of Holcomb, saying, “Vincennes University is incredibly proud to award an honorary doctorate to the former Governor Eric Holcomb. His distinguished public service and deep-rooted ties to our institution embody the very essence of leadership and civic dedication. We are sincerely grateful for his tireless advocacy on behalf of Hoosiers."
While serving as the Governor of Indiana, Eric Holcomb was the driving force behind a number of initiatives that helped the state improve its economic growth, deepen its global engagement, and make leaps in its workforce development. The university sees him as a source of advancement and transformation for the state, while recognizing that the work he has done has set an example for others in the state.
Vincennes University President Charles Johnson spoke highly of Holcomb, saying, "VU welcomes Eric Holcomb among our esteemed honorary doctorate alumni, celebrating his distinguished career in public service. As Governor, he demonstrated extraordinary leadership during extraordinary times and a steadfast commitment to enhancing the lives of all Hoosiers. His many contributions to education, economic development, and community development serve as an inspiration to VU students and graduates. The University is honored to recognize his remarkable achievements, which are even more special because of his strong personal connections to VU and Knox County."
Holcomb was also quoted speaking positively about his time living in Vincennes back in the 90s, the same place his mother grew up, saying, "When I got out of the U.S. Navy from overseas, I moved back to Vincennes, Indiana, into the home my mother was raised in and where our family spent annual holidays with my grandmother."
Having spent years living in Vincennes allowed for Holcomb to have multiple opportunities to explore the campus of Vincennes University, as well as see the impact of the university on the community. He spoke highly of the place he lives, saying, "As a Vincennes resident, I immediately started to attend what would become countless events on this beautiful campus, which has remained in lockstep with the industry of tomorrow while providing upward mobility today for those who seek to make and use the products that make our future."
The people of Indiana elected Holcomb as their 51st governor back in 2016. As soon as he assumed the role, he focused on improving several aspects of the state such as government efficiency, public health, workforce training, education, infrastructure, and its economy. With Holcomb as governor, Indiana broke its record for most job commitments, a tripling of foreign direct investment as well as the opening of new overseas markets for products made in the state, and the highest average hourly wage for new jobs in the history of the state. Holcomb was named International Citizen of the Year in 2018 by the International Center for his work in expanding the state’s presence on the world stage.
The Next Level Roads program was another Holcomb project. The program was, at the time, America’s only fully funded long-term infrastructure initiative. He also secured funding for the project through toll roads. Holcomb also helmed the Next Level Jobs program, which helped over 10,000 people living in Indiana secure job training. Simultaneously, his administration invested $1.2 billion in K-12 education programs which helped expand opportunities in pre-K and computer science. Local school districts were also helped by this funding to increase pay for teachers. These programs led to Holcomb being awarded the 2019 Mira Trailblazer award for improving the tech industry and workforce in Indiana.
Another focus of the Holcomb administration included the creation of the Office of Drug Prevention, Treatment, and Enforcement, with the aim of improving public health. That office helped lower the number of overdose deaths, and expanded access to treatment. Because of this effort and its effectiveness, Holcomb was awarded the Richard M. Fairbanks Circle of Hope Award in 2019. Other public health efforts from the administration helped to lower infant mortality rates in the state, and more.
Holcomb graduated from Pike High School in Indianapolis before going on to attend Hanover College. He previously served as the state chairman of the Indiana Republican Party, and as a member of the Indiana Farm Bureau, the Indianapolis WWII Round Table, the National Federation of Independent Business, the American Legion Post 777, and also is a board member of the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site.
More information about Vincennes University can be found on the school’s website.