Loogootee Tribune: Don Bowling awarded Sagamore of the Wabash
October 6, 2016
WestGate@Crane Technology Park resides in three counties: Daviess, Greene, and Martin county. The WestGate@Crane Authority Board together runs the technology park including WestGate Academy Conferencing and Training Center. The board is made up of a group of business leaders from each of the three counties. Don Bowling represents Martin county and is one of the founding members of the board ten years ago. Bowling is a true leader and we are honored he has been part of the WestGate story. Congratulations Don! Via Loogootee Tribune Photo credit: Photo courtesy of Loogootee Tribune Editor Jill Wadsworth Story credit: Story courtesy of Loogootee Tribune Reporter Jessica Shinn
Loogootee - Thursday, September 8, 2016 -Loogootee resident and former mayor Don Bowling was recognized on Wednesday, August 31st at the Community Building on the 4-H Fairgrounds for all he has contributed to the city, county and area over the years.
Mr. Bowling’s list of accomplishments and titles include Mayor of the City of Loogootee for 8 years, Vice President of West Gate Authority, President of Martin County Alliance, President of Martin County Senior Housing, Board of Directors of Hoosier Uplands, Member of St. Vincent de Paul Conference, Store Board and Trust Fund Committee, past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus Council 732 and Treasurer for 25 years, past Faithful Navigator of the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus, long time backer and proponent of I-69 project, and 35 year employee and member of the management team of National Gypsum Company.
“It was a surprise, very much a surprise,” Mr. Bowling said of the award.
When asked which of his accomplishments he was the most proud of, Mr. Bowling stated that acting as the Mayor of Loogootee was his highest honor. “I just always enjoyed community service. It was a very rewarding experience.”
In order to be named a Sagamore of the Wabash, a person must be nominated by their local legislature. District 48 State Senator Mark Messmer submitted Mr. Bowling after he was contacted by the Martin County Commissioners. “Personally, I see Don as the perfect example of a person who’s a great servant leaders for his community. He’s been very active and very influential in helping guide economic policy for the county. He’s been a great person for me to work with on and legislation or economic issue. He’s the perfect example of a person I’d want to submit,” Senator Messmer stated. “It was a great pleasure to be able to honor Don with that award. He’s a well-deserved recipient.”
“When you think of Loogootee and Martin County as a whole, you think of Mayor Don Bowling! Mayor Bowling has dedicated a significant part of his time through his life making sure we had all could have an even better place to live! Congratulations to Mayor Bowling for being recognized for all that you do!” Mayor Noel Harty of Loogootee praised.