Giles Hoyt, Professor Emeritus of German and Philanthropic Studies and past Director of IUPUI's Max Kade German-American Center in the IU School of Liberal Arts at IUPUI is the recipient of the Bundesverdienstkreuz, the Federal Cross of Honor, which is the Federal Republic of Germany's highest tribute for services to the nation.
Dr. Hoyt has been a pivotal figure in the field of German and German-American Studies, reaching far beyond the academic sphere. An internationally recognized scholar, his service to the university, as well as to the German-American community, particularly in Indiana and the Midwest, spans more than three decades. He has served on the board of numerous organizations, both locally and nationally, dealing with German-American relations. Professor Hoyt was instrumental in the establishment and development of the IUPUI Max Kade German-American Research and Resource Center, a national model for interdisciplinary German and German-American Studies.
Long-time IUPUI supporters and retired faculty members, Drs. Giles and Dolores Hoyt, established the Giles and Dolores Hoyt Student Opportunity Fund to benefit student employees at the IUPUI University Library, with a preference given to those who work with the German-Americana Collections. Together with his wife, and friends and colleagues Drs. Eberhard and Ruth Reichmann, Hoyt created the Hoyt-Reichmann Faculty Chair in German American Studies and German Language and Culture with a $1.3 million gift commitment to the IU School of Liberal Arts at IUPUI.
In 2020, Giles and Dolores Hoyt were presented the Bicentennial Medal for their distinguished service to Indiana University.
