Rick, Vicki James Awarded Sagamore of The Wabash
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowRick and Vicki James have received with the Sagamore of The Wabash award. Rick is a 1977 business administration graduate from Tri-State University, now Trine University and serves as chairman and CEO for Metal Technologies Inc., a company he co-founded. He serves on the board of directors for the Foundry Educational Foundation, which provides scholarship support to promising individuals who desire to enter the foundry industry, and has been named to the Board of Directors of the American Foundry Association. Vicki serves in multiple roles at Auburn First United Methodist Church and has served on the Board of Directors for PBS-39 TV in Fort Wayne and RISE Inc. They have led and contributed to several revitalization efforts in Auburn, including a 100-acre public park, a public arts and culture square, and acquiring and renovating selected buildings to enhance and preserve the historical character of the downtown area and encourage private investment by others. The couple also supports the Flight 93 Memorial in Pennsylvania, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and United Theological Seminary. Rick serves as chairman of Trine’s Board of Trustees, of which he has been a member since 2010. In 2012, Trine bestowed Rick with its highest honor, the Pillar of Success Award. He also previously received the Distinguished Service Award. In 2014, Vicki was honored with the university’s Woman of Distinction Award. In 2013, Rick and Vicki both received honorary doctorates from Trine University. Trine’s University Center was named in honor of Rick and Vicki James in May 2012. The Sagamore of the Wabash was created during the term of Indiana Governor Ralph Gates. The term “sagamore” was used by the American Indian tribes of the northeastern United States to describe a lesser chief or a great man among the tribe to whom the true chief would look for wisdom and advice. It is a personal tribute usually given to those who have rendered distinguished service to the state or to the governor.