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Oliver Bumb
MUNCIE, Ind. – Oliver C. Bumb, a former professor and
vice president at Ball State University who was active in local and state activities, died March 22. He was 90.
Bumb came to Ball State in 1942 as a teacher at Burris Laboratory School, which is part of Ball State’s Teachers College. When he retired from Ball State in 1976, he was vice president for public affairs and university development.
As head of the campus Master Plan Committee, he was instrumental in planning many of Ball State’s post-World War II structures.
Bumb’s leadership made a tremendous impact on the university, the community and higher education in the state, said Richard McKee, executive assistant to the
president who worked closely with Bumb for many years.
“When former Ball State President John Worthen established the Medal of Distinction, Oliver Bumb was the first person to receive it,” said McKee. “He exemplified so much what that medal stands for.”
Bumb was given the medal in 1989. It is awarded each year for “significant and unselfish contributions to the advancement of the university, community, state and nation.”
Bumb received a Benny Award in 1985 from the Ball State Alumni Association, which established a scholarship in his name. He was a longtime member of the Ball State Foundation.
Bumb came to Muncie from South Bend in 1942. He left in 1945 to become Indiana’s supervisor of industrial arts and returned to Ball State in 1947 to teach industrial arts.
He later became administrative assistant to President John Emens before being named coordinator of public affairs and college development. Emens appointed him vice president
in 1964.
Before and after retirement, he was active in community organizations such as the Delaware County Historical Society, Delaware County United Way, Muncie Symphony Orchestra, the Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce, Boy Scouts, United Fund and the Visiting Nurse Association. He was a past state president of the YMCA.
Born 1911 in Evansville, he earned a bachelor’s degree at Indiana State Teachers College and master’s and doctorate degrees from Indiana University.
Funeral arrangements are being made through Meeks Mortuary, Muncie.
Bumb came to Ball State in 1942 as a teacher at Burris Laboratory School, which is part of Ball State’s Teachers College. When he retired from Ball State in 1976, he was vice president for public affairs and university development.
As head of the campus Master Plan Committee, he was instrumental in planning many of Ball State’s post-World War II structures.
Bumb’s leadership made a tremendous impact on the university, the community and higher education in the state, said Richard McKee, executive assistant to the
president who worked closely with Bumb for many years.
“When former Ball State President John Worthen established the Medal of Distinction, Oliver Bumb was the first person to receive it,” said McKee. “He exemplified so much what that medal stands for.”
Bumb was given the medal in 1989. It is awarded each year for “significant and unselfish contributions to the advancement of the university, community, state and nation.”
Bumb received a Benny Award in 1985 from the Ball State Alumni Association, which established a scholarship in his name. He was a longtime member of the Ball State Foundation.
Bumb came to Muncie from South Bend in 1942. He left in 1945 to become Indiana’s supervisor of industrial arts and returned to Ball State in 1947 to teach industrial arts.
He later became administrative assistant to President John Emens before being named coordinator of public affairs and college development. Emens appointed him vice president
in 1964.
Before and after retirement, he was active in community organizations such as the Delaware County Historical Society, Delaware County United Way, Muncie Symphony Orchestra, the Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce, Boy Scouts, United Fund and the Visiting Nurse Association. He was a past state president of the YMCA.
Born 1911 in Evansville, he earned a bachelor’s degree at Indiana State Teachers College and master’s and doctorate degrees from Indiana University.
Funeral arrangements are being made through Meeks Mortuary, Muncie.
