Chancellor’s Professor of History in the IU School of Liberal Arts at Indianapolis and executive director of the Center for the Study of Religion and American Culture, Philip K. Goff, has received the 2024 Henry R. Besch, Jr. Promotion of Excellence Award from the Alliance of Distinguished and Titled Professors at Indiana University.
The honor recognizes an individual who has exhibited distinction in promoting and encouraging the growth of excellence at Indiana University. It credits steadfast and tireless service for the students, faculty, and staff of IU, and of extraordinary professional and personal commitments to outstanding teaching, scholarship, and creativity.
“I am so grateful for this honor and the fact that this comes from the Alliance of Distinguished and Title Professors, people who have, by necessity, also promoted excellence at IU, makes this that much more meaningful,” said Goff, who also serves as president and co-chair of the IU Indianapolis Faculty Council (IFC) and University Faculty Council (UFC) respectively.
“For my part, I have tried to promote excellence in two ways. When I was a young associate professor a quarter of a century ago, my primary vision was to make the Center for the Study of Religion and American Culture the definitive center for the study of religion and American culture for scholars across the country. And second, to actively participate in the shared governance of the university. My hope is, this culture of conversation—sharing ideas, sharing goals, sharing concerns—will serve as a model for the next generation, not just how to work at the university, but to be a part of it, working together to promote its excellence.”
Goff was recognized during the Alliance’s annual dinner, attended by Indiana University president Pamela Whitten, and many of the IU Cabinet, including chancellor of IU Indianapolis Latha Ramchand.
