Batman Producer, Philanthropist Honored with Indiana’s Highest Civilian Award

Indiana State Rep. Martin Carbaugh has presented Michael and Nancy Uslan with one of Indiana’s highest civilian honors, the Sagamore of the Wabash, in recognition of their decades of service, philanthropy, and contributions to the arts and education.

Michael Uslan, a triple graduate of Indiana University, carved out a unique path in pop culture history when he created and taught the world’s first accredited college course on comic books at IU in 1971. That groundbreaking class drew national attention and opened doors to DC Comics and Marvel. In 1979, Uslan acquired the film rights to Batman and went on to serve as executive producer for every Warner Bros. Batman film since 1989, spanning both live-action and animated projects. His career achievements also include a Daytime Emmy Award for Where on Earth is Carmen Sandiego?, the Lifetime Achievement Award, the Inkpot Award, and an honorary doctorate from Monmouth University.

Continuing his dedication to education, Uslan serves as a professor of practice at IU’s Media School and recently donated his 30,000-comic collection to IU’s Lilly Library, providing students with an unparalleled resource to study comic book creation.

Nancy Uslan has made a lasting impact through her leadership, philanthropy, and volunteerism, particularly in advancing higher education and literacy. She has supported IU Southeast and funded scholarships for nursing and healthcare students at IU’s School of Nursing. Inducted into IU’s Presidents Circle for her contributions, she also co-founded IU’s Books and Beyond program, which delivers books to Kabwende Primary School in Rwanda and fosters cultural exchange between U.S. and Rwandan students. Since the program’s mid-2000s launch, more than 20,000 copies of The World Is Our Home—a collaborative story collection from students in both countries—have been distributed. The program has expanded to include literacy camps, teacher training, and a playground installation at Kabwende.

“Michael and Nancy’s dedication, generosity and accomplishments have encouraged Hoosier students to explore career paths in the arts and health care related fields,” Carbaugh said. “They go above and beyond to help people both in our community and around the world. They embody the spirit the Sagamore of the Wabash represents, and I’m honored to present them with the state’s highest award.”

Established in the 1940s by then-Gov. Ralph Gates, the Sagamore of the Wabash is awarded to distinguished Hoosiers who have made significant contributions to the state. For Michael and Nancy Uslan, the honor recognizes a legacy that has enriched Indiana’s cultural and educational landscape while inspiring countless individuals both locally and globally.