Holcomb presented honorary Doctor of Humane Letters

Former Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb ’90 was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree during an Oct. 17 ceremony in the J. Graham Brown Campus Center. The conferral was held as part of Hanover’s 98th-annual homecoming celebration.

“Eric Holcomb, class of 1990, is no stranger to this campus, nor to the transformative power of a Hanover College education,” said President Lake Lambert. “Like so many of our students, he arrived here with potential and left with purpose.”

Holcomb served as Indiana’s 51st governor from 2017-25 following one term as lieutenant governor. He is the fourth Hanover graduate to serve in the state’s highest office – joining Thomas Hendricks ’41 (1873-77), Albert Porter ’42 (1881-85) and Mike Pence ’81 (2013-17) – and the first Hanoverian to serve two terms.

“Hanover is the kind of institution where young people, in my estimation, can gain, and do gain, three priceless skills,” noted Holcomb. “They can learn why it’s important to stay curious and ask questions. They can learn where to look for those answers. And most importantly, they can learn how to draw the threads together into something completely new.”

As governor, Holcomb emphasized economic development, infrastructure investment, workforce readiness, education, public health and quality of life and community development initiatives. He was “recognized” for his consensus-building approach and efforts to modernize state systems while maintaining a focus on civility and collaboration.

Under Holcomb’s leadership, the Hoosier State had record-breaking capital investments, including significant direct foreign investment, and growth in technical innovation and life-science research and development. His administration prioritized fiscal responsibility, maintaining a AAA credit rating, adding more than $150 billion to the state’s gross domestic product and refunding more than $1.5 billion to taxpayers. He also oversaw public health funding increases and signed legislation on issues ranging from road funding and hate crimes to abortion and Sunday alcohol sales. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he implemented statewide health measures that drew both support and criticism.

“Eric has governed through times of great challenge and change, and has done so with vision, steadiness, and a clear commitment to the people of Indiana,” said Lambert. “His efforts have advanced economic growth, improved education and workforce development, invested in mental health and public health, and positioned Indiana as a national leader in innovation and collaboration. And yet, through it all, he has never lost touch with his roots.”

While at Hanover, Holcomb majored in history with a focus on the American Civil War and Reconstruction. He also served two terms as president of Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI) fraternity.

“Potential is nurtured here. Success in all walks of life is made possible here,” said Holcomb. “I know that Hanover will hold up its end of the bargain, continuing to nurture that special potential in young people to make success possible.”

Following graduation from Hanover, Holcomb served six years active duty as an intelligence officer in the U.S. Navy. He was initially stationed at Naval Station Great Lakes in Chicago. He later served at Naval Air Station Cecil Field near Jacksonville, Fla., and at Allied Joint Force Command Lisbon in Oeiras, Portugal.

Prior to serving as lieutenant governor (2016-17), Holcomb was campaign manager and deputy chief of staff for former Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels. He was the Indiana Republican Party chair and a member of the Republican National Committee before serving as chief of staff for U.S. Sen. Dan Coats.