The Charles L. Whistler Awards
A lawyer and community leader in the grand tradition, Whistler gave his time and extraordinary abilities to the Indianapolis community without asking for power or position in return. At the time of his death in 1981, he was a senior partner at Baker & Daniels and chairman of both the Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee's Urban Growth and Revitalization Task Force and the White River State Park Citizen's Advisory Committee.
Mayor Greg Ballard and the board of the Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee invite community members to nominate a current leader who exemplifies this vital Indianapolis tradition.
Award nominations are open to anyone in the community, except currently appointed government employees and elected officials. Candidates should reflect the passion and the skill that Charles Whistler displayed for making the public-private partnership work for the overall betterment of the community.
The recipient(s) of the award – presented by the Mayor through the Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee – will be recognized at a reception later this fall. Award recipients' names will also be added to a limestone and granite monument located in the Charles L. Whistler Memorial Plaza at the City Market.
Charles L. Whistler Award Criteria:
• Demonstrates visionary and enthusiastic leadership in serving the community
• Provides outstanding service in bringing together the public and private sectors for civic improvement
• Ineligible: Currently appointed government employees and elected officials
Nominations:
• Nomination forms may be photocopied
• Letters of support may be included (quantity is not a factor in judging)
• Mail completed forms to: Charles L. Whistler Award c/o:
Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee
1901 City-County Building
200 East Washington Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204
• Forms also may be faxed to (317) 327-8615 or e-mailed to nclayton@indy.gov
• For questions about nominations, call (317) 327-3625
Past Whistler Award Recipients:
1983: Thomas H. Lake
1984: Thomas W. Binford & David R. Frick
1985: Frank P. Lloyd
1986: Phillip R. Duke & Thomas W. Moses
1987: Mattie M. Coney
1988: Donald W. Tanselle
1989: Ramon L. Humke & Henry C. Ryder
1990: Richard O. Morris
1991: Eldon Campbell
1992: Michael A. Carroll
1993: William W. Mays & James T. Morris
1994: Fred C. Tucker, Jr.
1995: Robert H. Reynolds
1996: Thomas M. Miller & Sam H. Jones
1997: Dr. Gene Sease
1998: Jack Shaw & Dan & Lori Efroymson
1999: Andrew Paine & Yvonne Shaheen
2000: Rev. T. Garrott Benjamin & Michael Maurer
2001: Jerry Semler & Fay Williams
2003: Alex Carroll & Rev. Charles Williams
2004: Dr. Beurt Servaas & Gerald Bepko
2005: Joseph D. Barnette, Jr. & G. Frederick Glass
2007: P.E. MacAllister & Marge Tarplee
2008: Patrick J. Early
2009: John T. Neighbours and Sallie W. Rowland