Mark Hardwick, ’93 MBA ’99, joined Ball State Board of Trustees in 2020, and serves as chair of the Audit Committee.
Hardwick, an accounting major, is the Chief Executive Officer of First Merchants Corporation, headquartered in Muncie, that operates throughout Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Michigan.
Mark joined First Merchants in November of 1997 as corporate controller and was promoted to Chief Financial Officer in 2002. In 2007, Hardwick also assumed all leadership responsibilities related to operations, technology, and risk management for the corporation. In 2016, Mark's title expanded to include Chief Operating Officer, overseeing the leadership responsibilities for finance, operations, technology, risk, legal, and facilities for the corporation. In 2021, Mark was promoted to Chief Executive Officer. Prior to joining First Merchants Corporation, Mark served as a senior accountant with BKD, LLP in Indianapolis.
Hardwick also serves as a board member of Next Muncie and the George and Frances Ball Foundation.
Hardwick was a member of the Ball State 1989-90 men's basketball team, which was inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame.