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Last updated on Wednesday, April 12, 2017
(VINCENNES) - The Honorable Jim R. Osborne, Vincennes resident and history enthusiast, has been named the 2017 recipient of the Walter A. Davis Memorial Citation for Service by the Vincennes University Alumni Association.
VU will honor Judge Osborne at a banquet on May 11, 6:30 p.m. (EST), at Green Activities Center.
Tickets for the banquet are available now and cost $15. Reservations may be made by calling 812-888-4354, or at the Dayson Foundation and Alumni Center located at Third Street and College Avenue.
The Walter A. Davis Memorial Citation for Service is named for former VU President Walter A. Davis, who served from 1924-50. The award is presented annually to a VU alumnus or resident of the greater VU Community and recognizes civic leadership and contributions, in addition to professional achievements. Recipients are selected from nominations submitted by alumni and the public, with the final selection made by a committee comprised of a member of the VU Board of Trustees, a former recipient, a representative of the public, and alumni.
Congratulatory messages may be sent to Osborne in care of the VU Alumni Office, 1002 N. First St., Vincennes IN 47591.
ABOUT THE RECIPIENT - The Honorable Jim R. Osborne
Osborne is a 1963 graduate of Vincennes Lincoln High School. He was the senior class president for the class of 1965 at Vincennes University. He went on to graduate with a B.S. from Indiana State University in 1967 with a background in history and government. After teaching history for four years at his alma mater, Lincoln High School, he returned to the Indiana University School of Law where graduated in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. Osborne also graduated from the Indiana Judicial College in 1983.
From 1975 to 1976, Osborne practiced law as an associate of Robert McCormick while also serving as Deputy Prosecutor for Knox County. In 1976 he was appointed as the first judge of the Knox County Court. The following year he was elected to his first full term as judge. In 1985 the court became known as the Knox Superior Court II. Jim retired December 31, 2014, after 39 years on the bench and still serves as an Indiana Senior
Judge.
Osborne has served his community through the many organizations, including: Vincennes Kiwanis, the Salvation Army, the Vincennes University Foundation, Old Northwest Corporation, Red Skelton Museum Foundation Board, and the Knox County Bar Association. He also has served as a member of the Indiana Judges Association, the Board of Directors of the Indiana Judicial Conference, and as a Major in the Indiana National Guard Reserve. He was named to the Legend of Hoosier Heroes by Adjutant General Martin Umbarger of the Indiana National Guard.
He has received Civitan's Citizen of the Year Award, the American Red Cross
Carroll Hamner Spirit of Knox County Award, the National Daughters of the American Revolution Historic Preservation Medal, and the American Legion Spirit of '76 Award. In addition, Osborne served as a 2016 Indiana Bicentennial Torch Bearer and he currently serves as vice chair of the State of Indiana WWI Centennial Committee.
Osborne has been an avid military collector and historian all of his life and his interest in military history has taken him all over the world visiting museums, battlefields, and countless historic sites. While there he conducted interviews with many veterans and noted persons in history. He has written articles and been interviewed on numerous television broadcasts including Good Morning America with Joan Lunden and CBS America
Tonight.
Through his personal collection he was instrumental in establishing the Indiana Military Museum, focusing on preserving and displaying significant military artifacts and memorabilia pertaining to U.S. Military history.
The museum has become known as one of the most comprehensive military history and educational facilities in the Midwest. Thousands of visitors - including school groups, students, and veterans - annually tour the museum and enjoy the growing variety of displays. Osborne serves as the president of the Museum Corporation and chairs the Board of Directors.
Osborne is married to the former Linda von der Leith of Vincennes. He has one daughter, Rachel Elizabeth, and one step-son, William Clay.
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