Walt Disney Principal Garber Recognized as IUSB Alumni of the Year

Indiana University South Bend (IUSB) Walt Disney Elementary School Principal Matt Garber was recognized by Indiana University South Bend as one of its 2026 Alumni of the Year.

Principal Garber was one of seven outstanding alumni honored Tuesday, October 6, during IU South Bend’s Night of the Titans, an annual celebration recognizing the university’s most distinguished alumni. He was notified last spring that he had been chosen for the award; he received the award at the event.

Mr. Garber earned his Master of Science in Education, School Counseling, from IU South Bend in 2019. As a highly engaged principal for Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation, he participates and leads many of the school’s annual beloved activities, such as “Page to Stage” and “Rock Your School,” helping build a strong sense of community and culture. He’s never ashamed to dress up in costume to give students and staff a good laugh, like when he dressed up as Super Mario to play in the Staff vs. Students Basketball game held before Winter Break. Click here to read more about Principal Garber.

The Alumni of the Year Award recognizes exceptional graduates from each IU South Bend school and college for the impact they have made in their communities and for exemplifying the qualities the university strives to instill in its students.

Mr. Garber and the six other Alumni of the Year recipients were recognized alongside recipients of the Chancellor’s Medal and Distinguished Alumni Award during the Night of the Titans celebration.

Congratulations to Mr. Garber on this well-deserved recognition; it’s a “Great Day to be a Dolphin!”