February 27, 2025

VINCENNES, Ind. - Vincennes University Trustees Mike Sievers and Don Villwock have been recognized with the highest honor that a Governor of Indiana bestows. Villwock and Sievers, who also serves as chairman of the VU Board of Trustees, were honored with Sagamore of the Wabash awards by Gov. Eric Holcomb in January.

This prestigious award honors Hoosiers for their distinguished service to the state of Indiana and the governor. Sievers and Villwock joined astronauts, presidents, ambassadors, artists, musicians, politicians, and ordinary citizens as recipients of the esteemed Sagamore of the Wabash in recognition of their great contributions to the state's Hoosier heritage.

VU Board of Trustees First Vice Chair Reggie Henderson said, "On behalf of the Board and the University, I proudly congratulate Chairman Sievers and Trustee Villwock on receiving the highest honor awarded by governors of Indiana. It is a well-deserved recognition of their dedication and impact. We deeply appreciate their outstanding service to VU and the state of Indiana, shaping a stronger future for education and our communities."

Mike Sievers

Sievers founded Sievers Construction Company in 1978. Over its 45-year history, Sievers Construction earned a reputation as a respected builder of premier single-family custom homes and had extensive experience in commercial construction and renovation. Later, Sievers and Companies, LLC, was formed to acquire and manage investment properties, the development of over 450 single and multi-family home sites and various commercial developments. Some of his most notable developments include Fox Ridge Estates, Green Farms Estates, The Bierhaus Center, the Vincennes Surgery Center, and the TownePlace Suites by Marriott.

Sievers has extensive experience in community leadership and industry involvement, holding key roles across various organizations. He served as past president of the Vincennes Area Builders Association, a life director and past executive committee member of the Indiana Builders Association, and a board member and chairman of the Vincennes Utilities Services Board. He also served on the Knox County Board of Zoning Appeals and is a founding board member of Indiana First Main Street and the Vincennes Education Foundation. A dedicated supporter of Vincennes University, he has been on the Board of Trustees since 2006 and the Construction Technology Advisory Committee. His numerous awards include Life Director by the Indiana Builders Association, the Spirit of '76 Award, Patriot of Vincennes, and Trade Ally of the Year by Cinergy/PSI.

Sievers said, "I am deeply humbled to receive the Sagamore of the Wabash. Though this award is personal recognition of my commitment to community involvement through various organizations, I am the first to acknowledge that without the assistance and collaboration of great business partners, lenders, fellow board members, staff, employees, family, and friends, greatness cannot be achieved."

Don Villwock

Villwock is the owner and manager of Villwock Farms. He is a consultant to the dean of agriculture at Purdue University and a past president of Indiana Farm Bureau and Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance Companies. Villwock was appointed the United States Department of Agriculture state executive director of the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS) in 1989. He was appointed to the 21st Century Commission on Agriculture in 1997. He also served as the state agricultural liaison to the late U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar from 1984 to 1989. He has served on the American Farm Bureau Board of Directors and the American Farm Bureau Board Executive Committee. In addition, he is a former chairman of the Indiana Institute of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition. He is a former state board member of the Indiana Corn Growers and Indiana Soybean Growers associations. Villwock is also a past president of the Knox County Farm Bureau and former vice chairman of the Knox County Redevelopment Commission.

He has received a Purdue Certificate of Distinction and Distinguished Agriculture Alumni recognition in addition to an Honorary FFA American Degree.

Villwock said, "I am the product of all my friends and family. Each of them has touched my heart, taught me so many things, and shaped this old farm boy into who I am. I'm humbled to receive this award, and I'm thrilled they get to witness the fruits of their labor and the trust they put in me. I only wish that some of my mentors were alive to see this, as they, too, were key to any success I have achieved."

Sievers and Villwock are an inspiration to Hoosiers, and their impressive lists of achievements and honors include the Sagamore of the Wabash.

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