Gospel legends Bill and Gloria Gaither were awarded the state’s highest honor on Wednesday, as Gov. Mitch Daniels presented them with the Sachem Award during a ceremony in the Great Hall of the Indiana State Museum.

A crowd of more than 100 watched the ceremony for the local celebrities.

The Sachem Award, bestowed just once a year, was first conceived in 1970 by Gov. Edgar Whitcomb. Over the years, the honor was forgotten, until 2005, when Daniels revived the award, presenting it to John Wooden, legendary UCLA basketball coach.

The award is meant to recognize “excellence in the pursuit of life’s work,” Daniels said before the crowd. He added that the honor was not meant to recognize accomplishment alone, but also virtue and morality. “For us, the things you did in life are not as important as the way you led your life.”

Daniels encouraged Hoosiers to appreciate the rare gifts given by the Gaithers.

“Shout with joy, as I have so many times, at the wonders of their gift to Indiana,” he said.

The Gaithers, famous for their contributions to the world of music and education, have enjoyed a career spanning 50 years, filled with gospel music and scripture. Writing and recording more than 700 songs and winning eight Grammy Awards, the Gaithers are known throughout the music world.

The two met while teaching at Anderson University, and current AU President James Edwards joined Daniels in honoring the Alexandria couple.

The ceremony began with Daniels’ explanation of the significance of the award.

“To me, it’s the most important recognition occasion in Indiana,” he said.

The Rev. David Markel of the Park Place Church of God called the Gaithers’ music “poetry that captures the mind and fires the imagination.”

Local gospel singer Sandi Patty filled the hall with a rousing version of the Gaithers’ song “The Stage Is Bare.”

The pair’s careers in education were noted — with humor — by Edwards when his speech was nearly drowned out with noise.

As Edwards stood at the podium speaking about the Gaithers’ many contributions as Hoosiers, a crowd of school children passed over the balconies above the atrium, chatting excitedly, fingers pointed down at the governor.

The cheerful noise of the children nearly trumped Edwards’ speech, a fact noticed by the humored speaker.

“How wonderful for these two teachers to hear the sound of discovery,” Edwards said.

Daniels echoed this sentiment, saying “If there’s a sound more joyful than Bill and Gloria Gaither’s music, it’s the sound of children’s voices.”

“I’d like to say we choreographed that,” Daniels joked.

Edwards continued his speech with simple, fond memories of his lifelong friends. “When I think of the Gaithers, I think of spirit.”

Daniels then presented the couple with the award, a winding brass sheet of metal, engraved and resting on a slab of stone.

Upon receiving the award, Gloria remarked that she and her husband valued to input of Alexandria neighbors, joking that they’d chosen a remote location to make a home. “If you come to Alexandria, you come on purpose. You don’t just happen by.”

Bill Gaither then approached the podium and admitted, “This is a little overwhelming.”

The ceremony concluded with a powerful performance of the Gaither song “I’ve Just Seen Jesus.” Gospel singer Larnelle Harris joined Patty in song before the crowd.

Harris’ voice boomed with Gloria’s lyrics complimented by the satin sound of Patty’s verse. The crowd hopped to its feet in a standing ovation at the close of the ceremony.

Humbled by the honor, Bill Gaither simplified his craft while thanking Daniels for the honor. “A writer has to write. You just write out of your heart.”

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History of the Sachem Award

In 1970, Indiana Gov. Edgar D. Whitcomb introduced the “Confederacy of the Sachem,” a group of business, industry, publishing, banking and legal leaders who served as state hosts, welcoming visitors to Indiana and promoting the state’s culture and economy. The organization’s name came from the Algonquin term applied to village leaders, implying wisdom, judgment and grace.  

At the time, Sachems constituted an honor greater than being named a Sagamore of the Wabash. Bylaws outlined that Sachems were to nominate and recommend Sagamore appointments to the governor. The Sagamore of the Wabash dates to the term of Indiana Gov. Ralph Gates in 1945 and has been the state’s highest honor bestowed by the governor.

Founding members of Whitcomb’s Sachems included Indianapolis banker Frank McKinney Sr., a former head of the national Democratic Party; Fort Wayne newspaper publisher Helene Foellinger; John Fisher of the Ball Corp. in Muncie; and John Hillenbrand of Batesville casket fame.

Following Whitcomb’s term, the Sachem project was not pursued, and the organization dissolved in 1989. Whitcomb visited Daniels in 2005 to acquaint him with the concept and to give him custody of remaining Sachem funds. Gov. Daniels recreated the Sachem to underscore the importance of moral example, specifying that achievement alone, without exemplary virtue, would not qualify a person for this recognition. 

Each Sachem honoree receives a specially designed sculpture that captures the American Indian heritage of the Sachem. All Sachem recipients are selected by Indiana’s governor. 

The inaugural recipient of the Sachem Award for 2005 was legendary UCLA basketball coach, teacher and mentor John Wooden. For 2006, the honoree was the Rev. Theodore Hesburgh, former president of the University of Notre Dame. Last year, the award was given to Jane Blaffer Owen, philanthropist and preservationist at New Harmony.

— www.in.gov/newsroom