NEW ALBANY, IN (November 18, 2024) – Indiana University Southeast is proud to announce two recipients of the 2025 Chancellor’s Medallion.
Pamela Bennett Martin, past-president of Bennett & Bennett Insurance Inc., and Jerry Roby, an entrepreneur with interests in various businesses including owner and President of Creditors Insurance Service, LLC; co-owner and CEO of Dennis Ott & Company Construction Services; partner in BEK Consultants; owner of Roby Advisory Group and former co-owner of Steinert’s Grill & Pub will be honored March 29, 2025, at the Chancellor’s Medallion Dinner at The Foundry in Jeffersonville.
The Chancellor’s Medallion is the highest honor presented by the chancellor of IU Southeast. It is given to individuals who have rendered distinguished service to the university and to the community; have given their talents in the promotion of human welfare and community well-being; and who, through their integrity, sensitivity, and commitment, serve as models for students and alumni of IU Southeast. To date, 61 of these awards have been presented.
Pamela Bennett Martin
Pamela Bennett Martin exemplifies a life of service, dedicated both to her clients and her community. As the former president of Bennett & Bennett Insurance, Inc., an independent agency with locations in Corydon and New Albany, Pamela built her career in the insurance industry, becoming a Certified Insurance Counselor in 1994 and specializing in health and commercial coverage. After 45 years in her family-owned business, she oversaw its successful merger with Shepherd Insurance on December 31, 2021, leaving a legacy of expertise and commitment to service.
Martin’s community contributions are vast: she chaired a successful YMCA campaign in 2004, raising $3 million to build the facility, and later served as board chair from 2005-2007. She currently serves on the board of First Savings Bank and chairs the Compensation Committee. As a former president of the Corydon Rotary Club, she was named “President of the Year for Large Clubs” in District 6580 in 2010.
Her community leadership includes a term as president of the Harrison County Community Foundation Board (2010-2012), co-chairing the Indiana 200th Birthday Celebration for Harrison County, and leading the year-long Corydon Bicentennial Celebration. She has founded several nonprofits, including Repair-Affair, Leadership Harrison County, Mainstreet Corydon, Renaissance Harrison County, and the Women in Philanthropy Steering Committee.
Currently, Martin’s community roles include past chair of Align Southern Indiana, Advisory Board Chair for Genesis House, Fundraising Chair for the Popcorn Festival, and serving on the Harrison County Library Board of Advisors (beginning January 2024).
A 1992 graduate of Leadership Southern Indiana and 1998 graduate of Leadership Harrison County, Martin earned the Servant Leadership Award from Leadership Harrison County. She has also been recognized with the Sam Walton Business Leader Award, the Main Street Board Member of the Year Award from the Indiana Main Street Association (2003), and the Norman Melhiser Community Service Award (2009). Her recent honors include the Harry P. Cooper Jr. Award from the Independent Insurance Agents of Indiana (2021) and the West Bend Mutual Community Service Award (2019).
Martin holds a BA from Hanover College, graduating in 1980. She is married to David Martin, and they have two sons, Brent (married to Stacy) and Douglas (married to Liz), and five grandchildren: Jack, Molly, Benjamin, Louie, and Henry.
Jerry Roby
Jerry Roby is a seasoned entrepreneur and dedicated civic leader with diverse business interests and a lifelong commitment to service. He is the Owner and President of Creditors Insurance Service, LLC, Co-owner and CEO of Dennis Ott & Company Construction Services, a partner in BEK Consultants, and the Owner of Roby Advisory Group. A former co-owner of Steinert’s Grill & Pub, a Southern Indiana landmark, Roby brings vision and leadership to each venture. His career reflects a commitment to giving back to the communities and institutions that shaped him.
A 1985 graduate of Indiana University Southeast, Roby was the institution’s first Academic All-American Student-Athlete and the first athlete to receive national honors. He became the first three-time team captain and three-time recipient of the Ron Johns Mental Attitude Award. In 1985, he was named Outstanding Student in Political Science. He served as Chair of the IU Southeast Grenadier Club for 20 years and as past Chair of the annual IU Southeast Champion’s Dinner, raising scholarships for student-athletes. Roby was honored as the IU Southeast Alumnus of the Year in 2018.
Graduating from St. Xavier High School in Louisville in 1981, Roby has served on its Board of Directors since 2015, holding roles as Governance Committee Chair, Vice Chair of the Board, and currently as Chairman of the Board. He co-chaired the school’s 2023 Strategic Plan and served on the X-Effect Campaign Committee, which raised over $51 million. He was inducted into the St. Xavier Hall of Honors in 2005.
Roby is active in the nonprofit sector, serving as Board Chair and Co-Organizer for RISE Academy of Lifelong Learning and the RISE Foundation, which provides education for neurotypical and autistic students. He has also served as Vice Chairman of the Cedar Lake Lodge Foundation Board and contributed to its Executive Leadership and Leadership Giving Committees. He has been an Advisory Board Member for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Indiana, where he co-founded the successful “Links for Littles” fundraiser, and served on the Executive Leadership Team for the March of Dimes “March for Babies.”
Roby lives in New Albany, Indiana, with his wife, Kimberly. Together, they have four children and their spouses—Tyler (Lauren), Victoria (Stanley), Nathan (Casey), and Courtney (Chase)—and seven grandchildren: Annelise, Carrigan, Maxwell, Carson, Churchill, Emerson, and Rosalie.
Eight Scholars Recognized
The Chancellor’s Medallion Scholarship recognizes academic excellence, leadership, and perseverance. It is one of the most coveted scholarships available at IU Southeast. Each year, eight recipients with a minimum of 60 credit hours, are selected by the Chancellor of IU Southeast to receive the highly sought-after scholarship. The Chancellor’s Medallion award is up to $6,000, based on tuition, and is renewable. Criteria for selection include:
- Minimum of 60 credit hours completed by the beginning Fall semester of selection,
- Maintaining full-time enrollment of 15 credit hours or more,
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0,
- Preference is given for financial need, and
- Completed application including an essay, extra-curricular activities (civic and non-university volunteer activities), special accomplishments, and letter of recommendation.
The application deadline for next year’s Chancellor’s Medallion Scholarship is May 31, 2025.
The 2024-2025 Chancellor Medallion Scholarship Recipients include.
- Timothy Jerome Bryant, Pekin, IN
- Dylan Curtis Mapp, Evansville, IN
- Jadrian Morris, New Albany, IN
- Jade Mundy, Jasper, IN
- Jenna Rogers, Sellersburg, IN
- Natalie Stewart, New Albany, IN
- Bailey Warner, New Albany, IN
- Kara Page Wright, Corydon, IN
The Chancellor’s Medallion Dinner will be held on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. The Foundry in Jeffersonville, IN. Proceeds from the Chancellor’s Medallion Dinner benefit the Chancellor’s Medallion Scholarship program.
For ticket information and sponsorship opportunities, contact the IU Southeast Office of Development at 812-941-2464.
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About IU Southeast: IU Southeast is one of nine campuses of Indiana University. Offering top-quality and nationally accredited programs in education, nursing, business, social sciences, natural sciences, arts and humanities, the scenic 180-acre campus is located less than 15 minutes from downtown Louisville, Kentucky. It currently has over 3,750 students and employs over 360 faculty members. About 400 students live on campus in five fully furnished, lodge-style residence halls. Through an agreement with the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Indiana University Southeast offers in-state tuition to students enrolled from eight counties in the Louisville region. For more information, visit https://southeast.iu.edu. IU Southeast is a tobacco-free campus.
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