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The Indiana Department of Environmental Management today announced it is taking applications and nominations for the 2025 Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence. This marks the 32nd year the awards have been given to celebrate innovative projects with measurable environmental benefits.

Presented annually since 1994, the Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence has become one of Indiana’s most prestigious environmental awards.

This year, IDEM and Governor's Office will present seven awards, one in each of the following categories:

Energy Efficiency/Renewable Resources
Environmental Education/Outreach
Five-Year Continuous Improvement
Greening the Government
Land Use/Conservation
Pollution Prevention
Recycling/Reuse

The Greening of the Government category is designed to shine a light on communities and/or government agencies that are making significant strides towards building greener, more sustainable communities or their operations. IDEM recently updated the award criteria to include a wider range of projects that would allow state, county and local government agencies of all sizes the opportunity to have their successful programs recognized.

Do not miss this opportunity for your business, organization, government office or an individual to get this recognition and honor. Citizens, government agencies, businesses, organizations, and educational institutions are invited to submit nominations on behalf of others. Self-nominations (applications) are encouraged. Eligible projects must have occurred in Indiana and been implemented in 2023 or 2024.

The deadline for nominations is March 7, 2025. Awards will be presented in September. A panel of conservation, environmental, and academic professionals review nominations. The awards will be based on project innovation, measurable results, and transferability. Nomination forms and instructions are available at idem.IN.gov/partnerships/governors-awards-for-environmental-excellence.

About IDEM: IDEM (idem.IN.gov) implements federal and state regulations regarding the environment. Through compliance assistance, incentive programs and educational outreach, the agency encourages and aids businesses and citizens to protect Hoosiers and the environment.

Chief Deputy Attorney General Lori Torres and Chief Counsel of Litigation Patricia Erdmann recently received the Sagamore of the Wabash award from Gov. Eric Holcomb for their longstanding devotion to serving Hoosiers, Attorney General Todd Rokita has announced.

“Lori and Patricia have dedicated a large part of their professional careers to serving the state,” Attorney General Rokita said. “They represent a major reason for our office’s continued success, and I’m honored to work alongside them every day to fight for Hoosiers. It’s to their great credit that they both received this prestigious award.”

Torres has practiced law in Indiana her entire career. After 20 years in the private sector, she entered state government with her appointment by Gov. Mitch Daniels to serve as the Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Labor.

After briefly returning to the private sector, Torres returned to public service in an executive position with the Indiana Department of Transportation before being selected by Gov. Holcomb as the Inspector General — a post she held for four years. In January of 2021, Attorney General Rokita brought in Torres to serve as Chief Deputy Attorney General.

“I’m grateful and humbled by this recognition as I have now served three governors and Attorney General Todd Rokita,” Torres said. “Nearly 20 years in the executive branch has given me the rare opportunity to serve both the Hoosier public and transformative leaders. My tenures as Inspector General and Chief Deputy Attorney General have allowed me to be a small part of Indiana’s success story.”

For nearly two decades, Erdmann has served as and transformed the role of Chief Counsel of Litigation in the Indiana Attorney General’s Office. She has overseen many of the most high-profile and impactful legal cases the state has ever seen, Attorney General Rokita said, and many agency commissioners and other executives in state government have lauded her efforts and acumen.

Erdmann has helped shape the careers of hundreds of present and former office employees, Attorney General Rokita noted, from law clerks and paralegals to deputy attorneys general.

"It's a tremendous honor to be selected for this prestigious award," Erdmann said. "I was so surprised to receive it and am deeply grateful to be recognized for my legal service to our state and its citizens through the Office of Attorney General. I love what I do and am truly blessed for the opportunity to do meaningful and impactful work every day alongside an incredibly talented and inspiring team of attorneys and paralegals. This is a true testament to our team’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding Hoosiers and our office’s remarkable record of success.”

Dating back to the 1940s, the Sagamore of the Wabash award was created by former Gov. Ralph Gates. It is the highest honor the governor can bestow and is presented to distinguished Hoosiers who have made significant contributions to the state of Indiana.

The Indiana Civil Rights Commission (ICRC) and partners will host the 34th Annual State of Indiana Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Celebration in honor of Dr. King. Speakers will include ICRC Executive Director Gregory L. Wilson, IBE’s President and CEO Alice Watson, President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Eric Johnson, and Shonna Quick, President of AFSCME Local 725. Six Hoosiers will be acknowledged for their contributions to humanity, including two Indianapolis-area youth.

What: 34th Annual State of Indiana Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Celebration

Who: Indiana Civil Rights Commission (ICRC), the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Indiana Holiday Commission, Indiana Black Expo, Inc., and AFSCME Local 725

When: 1/17/2025 12:00PM-1:30PM

Where: Indiana Statehouse North Atrium

The Indiana Civil Rights Commission (ICRC) and partners will host the Annual State of Indiana Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Wreath Placing Ceremony remembering Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and honoring his legacy of unity. Speakers at the Wreath Placing Ceremony will include ICRC Executive Director Gregory L. Wilson, IBE’s President and CEO Alice Watson, President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Theotto Lillard, and Shonna Quick, Vice President of AFSCME Local 725.

Following the Wreath Placing Ceremony there will be a commemorative video projected onto the AES building honoring Dr. King’s calls for unity within the community.

What: Annual State of Indiana Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Wreath Placing Ceremony

Who: Indiana Civil Rights Commission (ICRC), the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Indiana Holiday Commission, Indiana Black Expo, Inc., and AFSCME Local 725

When: 1/16/2025 6:00PM-6:45PM

Where: Indiana War Memorial: Soldiers and Sailors Monument – North

About Indiana Civil Rights Commission
The Indiana Civil Rights Commission (ICRC) enforces the civil rights laws of the State of Indiana. We investigate complaints of discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodation, credit, and education. We also educate organizations, companies, landlords, associations, and individuals on their rights and responsibilities under Indiana Civil Rights Laws and the mission to eradicate discrimination.

Governor Mike Braun has appointed Captain Anthony M. Scott to serve as the 21^st Superintendent of the Indiana State Police. Superintendent Scott was born and raised in Rush County, Indiana. After graduating from Rushville High School in 1992, he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from Cumberland College and was later accepted into the 54^th Indiana State Police Recruit School in July 1996. Upon graduation, he was appointed as a Trooper, assigned to the Versailles Post on December 15, 1996.

Scott has served 28 years with the Indiana State Police and has held multiple supervisory roles during that time. He has served as the Versailles District Investigations Commander (First Sergeant), Versailles District Commander (Lieutenant) and most recently as the Area IV Commander at the rank of Captain.

In June of 2019, Scott completed the 276th Session of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia which offers more than two months of advanced communication, leadership, and fitness training for selected officers having proven records as professionals within their agency.

“I am truly honored to have the opportunity to lead the outstanding men and women of the Indiana State Police and look forward to working with Governor Braun on his public safety initiatives”, said Scott.

Superintendent Scott resides in Decatur County with his family.

Indiana State Police Lieutenant Christopher L. Hill has been promoted to the rank of Colonel and will serve as the Indiana State Police Assistant Superintendent. Hill was born and raised in Madison, Indiana. After graduating from Shawe Memorial High School in 1986, he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Dayton in 1990.

Hill graduated from the 53^rd Indiana State Police Recruit Academy in December of 1995. He was assigned to patrol duties at the Versailles Post before becoming a Detective in the Gaming Division.

In 2004, he transferred to the Drug Enforcement Section (DES) until October of 2015 when he was promoted to the rank of First Sergeant, becoming the Assistant Commander of DES. He also earned a Master of Science Degree in Criminology from Indiana State University in December of 2008.

Hill was then promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in April of 2018 and became the Commander of the Special Investigations Section until this promotion.

Colonel Hill and his wife, Natalie are residents of Jefferson County and have two adult daughters, Megan (Marion County) and Abigail (Tippecanoe County).