The Mary Lou Hoover Conrad Music Scholarship honors the late widow of former Indiana Secretary of State and gubernatorial candidate Larry Conrad.

Mary Lou Conrad was a librarian for Lawrence Township schools, a volunteer for public broadcasting and vice president of national sales for Personal Shopper Services for 20 years. She was a member of the Ball State Board of Trustees from 1985 until her death in 1999.

A 1957 graduate of Ball State, Conrad was an avid amateur pianist. Her love and talent for music helped her write lyrics for Birch Bayh's 1962 senatorial campaign theme song to the tune of "Hey, Look Me Over."

The scholarship, established with gifts from friends and family, provides renewable awards to incoming freshmen entering the School of Music. Preference is given to students majoring in keyboard and voice.

The fund totaled $61,390 as of May 31.