MUNCIE, Ind. - One of the nation’s leading administrators in information technology is joining Ball State University as vice president.

H. O’Neal Smitherman, 52, will join Ball State July 1 in the newly created position of vice president for information technology and executive assistant to the president.

He is currently assistant to the president for planning and projects and director of the FedEx Emerging Technology Complex at the University of Memphis.

Smitherman will be Ball State’s chief information officer, liaison to the board of trustees and a member of senior staff.

“Dr. Smitherman possesses a remarkable combination of skills that will enable him to lead the university into the next generation in educational technology, while also assisting the trustees and my office in many other areas,” said Ball State President Blaine A. Brownell

“He is highly knowledgeable, personable, and enthusiastic and in my view a perfect fit for Ball State. He recognizes this as a great personal and professional opportunity. We are lucky to have him.”

Smitherman’s hiring is pending approval by the trustees at its next meeting, set for May 4.

Brownell said the addition of Smitherman is a positive step forward for the university and its educational information technology programs.

Smitherman was selected over two other candidates, Paul M. Morris, special vice president to the provost at Emory University, Atlanta; and Troy DeWayne VanAken, vice president for information technology and chief information officer at Albion College, Albion, Mich.

A new vice president for technology position was discussed by Brownell last fall in his address to Ball State faculty. The area was formerly headed by Duane Eddy, executive assistant to the president for technology, who retired in June 2000.

Smitherman said he was impressed with the high level of technological infrastructure and the overall quality of employees at Ball State.

“Many universities have been left behind when it comes to technology, but at Ball State there is a good infrastructure in place,” he said. “Ball State has done an excellent job with technology to date.

“Those are the kinds of things that have me excited about coming to campus,” he said. “I look forward to getting involved and helping a good program move forward.”

While at Memphis, Smitherman has been instrumental in creating the FedEx Emerging Technologies Complex. The center is one of the nation’s top academic centers producing graduates who are prepared for employment in the rapidly changing world of the Internet and information technology.

“Access to technology must be the goal of every university,” he said. “We want all students, faculty and staff to be in touch with and understand how to use all technologies.”

Smitherman has been at the University of Memphis since 1998. Previously, he was assistant vice chancellor for academic affairs and technology and director of Institutional Research for the University of Alabama System from 1984-98. From 1980-84, he was director of regional community services for the Alabama Department of Health and a research associate at the Virginia Community College System from 1978-84.

He received a doctorate in educational psychology in 1977 from the University of Alabama and completed additional advanced graduate study at Florida State University and the University of Tennessee. Smitherman received his master’s degree in sociology from the University of Alabama in 1973 and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Alabama in 1971.

His family includes his wife Sandra and daughters Kati, 19, and Anna, 15.

By Marc Ransford, Communication Manager

(NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information, contact Smitherman by e-mail at osmither@memphis.edu or by phone at (901) 678-5562.)