Ali, a mathematics professor, calls the state's highest civilian award the highlight of his 33-year academic career at Ball State, which includes being named the George and Frances Ball Distinguished Professor of Statistics in 2000.

"I've been honored many times by Ball State during my career as an educator," said Ali, who is also director of the graduate statistics program. "I've been named an outstanding faculty member, an outstanding researcher and a distinguished professor.

"However, this is the most important award for me in my career," he said. "I was not born here in the United States and did not go to school here, but the governor of Indiana has recognized my work in higher education. That means a great deal to me."

Ali was honored Oct. 24 during a surprise reception that included faculty and staff from around campus. He was nominated by Ceola Digby-Berry, a member of Ball State's Board of Trustees.

The award, signed by Gov. Frank O'Bannon, is given for distinguished service to the state. It was created during the term of Gov. Ralph Gates, who served from 1945-49, and has been presented by governors ever since.

"Even though I am 65 I haven't slowed down at all," Ali told the group. "This gives me a lot more energy to continue."

Ali's service to the university also includes journal editorship, plus the establishment of a statistics program, and
a biopharmaceutical statistics conference held annually since 1978 at Ball State.

His accomplishments were recognized in 1998 when the American Statistical Association inducted him as a fellow.

Ali's professional career began in 1957 with the Socio-Economic Board of the University of Dhaka in Bangladesh. He then served as a statistician for the government of Pakistan until 1966 before becoming a teaching assistant at the University of Toronto from 1966-69. He joined the Ball State faculty in 1969 as an assistant professor. Ali was promoted to associate professor in 1974 and to full professor in 1978.

He received his bachelor's and master's degrees in statistics from the University of Dhaka and obtained a master's and doctorate in mathematical statistics from the University of Toronto.

(NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information, contact Ali at mali@bsu.edu or (765) 285-8670.)