MUNCIE, Ind. - R. Neil Schmottlach has been named the first John and Janice Fisher Distinguished Professor of Wellness and Gerontology at Ball State University.

The professorship was made possible by a recent $4.35 million donation by John W. and Janice B. Fisher.

Schmottlach is director of Ball State's Fisher Institute for Wellness and Gerontology. The institute, established in 1986, offered one of the nation's first master's degrees in wellness management. It was renamed in 1993 to honor the chairman emeritus of Ball Corp. and his wife.

"Ball State has become a national leader in the area of wellness education through the leadership of Neil Schmottlach," said C. Warren Vander Hill, Ball State's provost and vice president for academic affairs. "His efforts have enabled the Fisher Institute to provide research and service addressing wellness concerns of all age groups."

The Fisher Institute, created to promote healthy lifestyles on campus, is part of Ball State's College of Applied Sciences and Technology. The college's dean, Donald Smith, said the distinguished professorship is "wonderful recognition" for Schmottlach's work.

"It's a fitting honor for Neil who has spent his entire career developing Ball State's wellness effort, not only on campus but throughout the community," Smith said.

Schmottlach came to Ball State in 1965 as a physical education instructor and soccer coach. After receiving his doctorate at Florida State University, he became an assistant professor in 1972 and was named to head the wellness institute in 1987.

"I'm flattered and humbled that I was selected for the distinguished professorship," Schmottlach said. "I'm very thankful to the Fishers and to the university for the support they have given me, and for the great staff that enables the Fisher Institute to do great things."

A national search is under way to succeed Schmottlach in the distinguished professorship after he retires in June.

"This represents the capstone experience for me at Ball State," he said. "It reminds me what great support mechanisms and resources Ball State offers. There are so many things you can do here. The sky is the limit."

By Tony Barker, Communications Manager