MUNCIE, Ind. – Niel Ellerbrook, president and chief executive officer of Indiana Energy, is the newest member of the College of Business Hall of Fame at Ball State University.

Ellerbrook, who received a bachelor’s degree in accounting in 1970 from Ball State, will be honored Oct. 29 at the College of Business annual Recognition and Awards Dinner.

The College of Business also will recognize 115 students who received scholarships totaling $120,600 during the school year.

The College of Business presents several awards each year to honor distinguished alumni and business people. The most prestigious is nomination into the Hall of Fame. Nominees must hold a position of distinction in business, government or academics; demonstrate outstanding success in his/her field; must be an alumnus of Ball State; be a recognized civic leader; and display extraordinary service to human kind.

Following graduation from Ball State, Ellerbrook worked in the auditing division of Arthur Anderson and Co. until 1980 when he joined Indiana Gas. Ellerbrook rose through the ranks of Indiana Gas and its holding company, Indiana Energy, until being named to his current position on June 1, 1999.

He has guided the growth of Indiana Energy from a small local utility into a leading Midwestern energy services provider. Over the summer, the firm announced a major growth initiative with a merger with SIGCORP, the holding company for Southern Indiana Gas and Electric. The merger will create a $1.9 billion energy services hold company named Vectren. Ellerbrook will serve as chairman and CEO.

He is a former College of Business alumni board member and was recognized in 1995 with the college’s Award of Distinction.

Ellerbrook is an Indianapolis resident.

By Marc Ransford, Communications Manager

(NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information, contact Carol Jump at cjump@bsu.edu or (765) 285-8192. Additional information about the College of Business may be found at www.bsu.edu/business on the Internet.)