Twentieth-century historian and noted author Anthony Edmonds has been named the George and Frances Ball Distinguished Professor of History. Edmonds, who joined Ball State's history department in 1969, is the author of "Joe Louis," a biography of the American prizefighter, and "The War in Vietnam," an examination of how the military conflict changed America. His most recent works include "Ball State University: An Interpretive History," "Eisenhower, Macmillan and Allied Unity, 1957-61," and "The Macmillan-Eisenhower Correspondence, 1957-1969," all co-authored with fellow history professor Bruce Geelhoed.

The appointment is effective March 1. The title of distinguished professor is presented to a select number of faculty for extraordinary commitment and success in teaching and scholarly activities.

"Dr. Edmonds is a well-respected scholar, an acclaimed teacher and an ever-willing colleague, whose help and good judgment have long served the best interests of students, fellow faculty and administrators at Ball State," said Michael Maggiotto, dean of the College of Sciences and Humanities.

The distinguished professorship recognizes the 36 years Edmonds has been teaching young people at Ball State about the impact of historical events on their lives.

"This honor is a sign that my department, my dean, my provost and my president believe that I have done distinguished work during my career here," he said. "And, of course, the lion's share of praise has to go to the thousands of students I have taught. They have been an inspiration without whom there would have been no distinguished professorship."

As a result of Edmonds' talents as author, mentor and classroom instructor, he has received 10 major teaching awards from Ball State, including 2004's Lawhead Award for Teaching in the University Core Curriculum. In 2003, the Association of Liberal and General Studies named him one of the two best liberal arts professors in America.

Originally wanting to be a lawyer, it wasn't until Edmonds was a student at Yale University, where he received a bachelor's degree in history in 1962, that he decided to change his vocational path. Edmonds went on to study American History at the graduate level, earning a master's degree in 1966 and a doctorate in 1970 from Vanderbilt University.

"I thought I wanted to be a lawyer like (television character) Perry Mason until I took a course from a teacher who changed my life," Edmonds said. "He was so passionate and knowledgeable that at the end of the class I decided that I would be a history teacher no matter what. After a few years teaching in prep school, I decided to get a doctorate and tried to follow the example of that splendid professor. 

"It has been an absolute joy to be paid money to read and write, and think and talk with wonderful students and colleagues," he said. "Somehow all this doesn't seem like 'work' in the sense of drudgery that one has to do. It is quite simply what I love to do and will continue to love until I can't do it any more."

Edmonds is the seventh faculty member to be named a George and Frances Ball Distinguished Professor at Ball State. The university has a total of 17 distinguished professors.

Funding for Edmonds' distinguished professorship comes from a 1988 gift to Ball State from the George and Frances Ball Foundation of Muncie. The foundation was created by the couple to fund local projects and educational institutions. George A. Ball was one of five brothers, who in 1917 bought the land and buildings of a failed private college and turned them over to the State of Indiana the following year. The gift led to the creation of what would become Ball State.