The first 1,000 Ball State University students will receive a free T-shirt and a slice of pizza from Papa John's when company founder and chief executive officer John Schnatter speaks Jan. 26. in Emens Auditorium.

Schnatter, who graduated from Ball State in 1984 with a bachelor's degree in business administration, will discuss his career from 5 to 7 p.m. The presentation, which is free and open to the public, is sponsored by the Miller College of Business.

"This will be an excellent opportunity for students, faculty and area business professionals to listen to one of the nation's most successful entrepreneurs of the last 20 years," said Lynne Richardson, dean of the Miller College of Business. "I think that we all can learn a great deal from his thoughts on building a hugely successful international business."

The Miller College of Business inducted Schnatter into its hall of fame last year. The honor is given to an individual holding a position of distinction in business, government or academe who has demonstrated outstanding success in his or her field. The nominee also should be recognized as a civic leader as exemplified through volunteer efforts and should be a supporter of Ball State.

Schnatter created the Papa John's concept in 1984 when he began delivering pizza from the back of his father's tavern in Jeffersonville. Today, Papa John's encompasses nearly 3,000 restaurants in 49 states and 16 international markets, with an additional 120-plus restaurants operating under the Perfect Pizza name in the United Kingdom. More information about the company may be found online at Papa John's Web site.

For more information about Schnatter's visit, contact Tammy Estep in the Miller College of Business.