KOKOMO, Ind. — If you see a place that needs improvement, get involved.
That’s Sarah Heath’s philosophy of service, and it’s the mindset that led her to volunteer at Indiana University Kokomo, her department and the Kokomo community.
Heath, a professor of history, was recognized for his dedicated service when he was presented with the George W. Pinnell Award for Distinguished Service at IU’s Teaching and Service Celebration Dinner in Bloomington.
“It’s really amazing to receive an award that is recognized across all IU campuses,” Heath said. “For people to recognize my contributions and give me an award like this means so much to me, knowing that they view my level of service and dedication as very profound.”
Vice President for Academic Affairs Scott Jones praised her contributions.
“Sarah Heath is committed to improving the lives of people at our university and in our community, and she also has an incredible ability to achieve transformative results,” he said. “The university and the state of Indiana are fortunate to have such an outstanding faculty member.”
Since joining the faculty in 2008, Heath has served in a variety of roles, including as faculty advisor for history and political science student organizations, department chair, mentoring other faculty, lecturing for campus and local organizations, moderating community dialogues, participating in the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Commission, and serving on the Douglass School Committee to repair and revitalize former black schools.
“The Douglass project was really rewarding,” she said, adding that she has expertise not only in history but also in her work on the National Parks Project related to the Brown v. Board of Education case, in which the Supreme Court ruled that segregating children based on race in public schools was unconstitutional.
“I was able to bring a lot of what I know about policy issues, laws and the broader history of the desegregation debate,” she said. “That school is really moving forward to become a new cultural center.”
On campus, she co-led a KEY trip to key World War II sites in Europe and made time to support faculty teaching English classes preparing students for the experience. Because she was not a class instructor, her work, including planning, recruiting, class presentations and travel, went beyond the expected scope of her duties.
Heath also contributed to his peers, conducting over 400 peer observations and assisting in course and curriculum development.
“I’ve always worked in environments where I was closest to people who said if you think something needs to be fixed or progress needs to be made, you can’t just sit back and complain,” she said. “We should all work together to make it happen. Everyone will say they’re busy. If you think these things are important enough, you should put in the effort and get involved in improving the situation around you.”
Heath was previously awarded the 2022 IU President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching.
The award was established in 1988 and is named for W. George Pinell, a former vice president of Indiana University and past chairman of the IU Foundation, known for his stewardship, leadership, initiative and service to state and national governments.
The award recognizes faculty and librarians who have a proven track record of contributing deeply to the university, the profession, or the public. Their work has enhanced the capacity of the university, had a significant impact on their field of expertise, and benefited their communities at the local, state, national, or international levels.
At Indiana University Kokomo, education is key.
