MUNCIE, Ind. -- Alan Hargrave has been named the permanent director of Housing and Residence Life (http://www.bsu.edu/athome/) at Ball State University after serving eight months as acting director.

Hargrave oversees a department that provides on-campus housing facilities, a learning community, educational programs, administrative services and staffing for 32 residence halls and 581 apartments. More than 6,000 of Ball State’s 18,000 students live in Ball State’s housing system.

"Alan brings tremendous experience, creative energy and leadership ability to this challenging post," said Randy Hyman, Ball State’s associate vice president for student affairs.

"He will provide the direction necessary for Housing and Residence Life to maintain its national visibility as one of the country’s truly outstanding housing programs, committed to student learning and student success," Hyman said. "He will continue moving the program closer to the cutting edge."

Hargrave became acting director of Housing and Residence Life last July, replacing Jack Collins, who took a similar position at the University of Illinois. Hargrave previously was the department’s associate director and assistant director for six years each.

"Students who reside on campus deserve great facilities and community services that help them learn, grow and become successful," Hargrave said. "My hope is to work closely with the wonderful staff and faculty at Ball State to offer a residential program that supports the educational mission of the university."

Today’s residence halls feature in-house computer labs, personal computer connections, study lounges, fitness centers, wellness programs, substance-free/alcohol-free floors, multiple visitation options and a variety of other accommodation choices.

Before coming to Ball State in 1986, Hargrave was area coordinator at the University of Southern Mississippi and coordinator of resident services and hall director at Murray State University.

He is a doctoral candidate in adult and community education at Ball State and has a master of science degree in student personnel in higher education from Eastern Illinois University.

(NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information about this story, contact Alan Hargrave at (765) 285-1863 or e-mail: ahargrav@bsu.edu.)