Awards

IU Kokomo Distinguished Service Award - 2002

About P. Merton Stanley

Paul Merton Stanley, better known as Merton, was a lawyer who graduated from the Indiana Law School in 1938. He started his practice in Kokomo, IN in 1941. In 1948, Stanley was elected judge of the Howard County Circuit Court at the age of 31 and remained in that position until 1961. He was appointed chairman of the Public Service Commission of Indiana by Governor Matthew Welch in 1961. Governor Welch also awarded him the Sagamore of the Wabash in the same year. Stanley then served as a Indiana State Senator for District 21 from 1970-1978.

Stanley spent his life serving the community, acting in various positions such as minister of Jerome Christian Church in Clinton County, president of the Howard County Bar Association, Howard County Council of Churches, Crippled Children’s Society, Scottish Rite Club and the Howard County Mental Health Association. He served as a board member of the IU Kokomo Board of Advisors for over 25 years. He and his wife were longtime supporters of the Indiana University Foundation

He was awarded the Distinguished Service award from IU Kokomo in 1988, along with the Chancellors Award in 1966.