Topic: Board of Trustees

November 21, 2017

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb has reappointed three members to Ball State University’s Board of Trustees.

Current Trustees E. Renae Conley, Jean Ann Harcourt and Mike McDaniel were reappointed to four-year terms, which are effective through Dec. 31, 2022.

“I would like to thank Gov. Holcomb for reappointing three members of the board who have made strong contributions,” said Board Chair Rick Hall. “We have all benefitted from the counsel of Renae, Mike and Jean. Our board has the strength, dedication and expertise to help guide Ball State as it continues on an upward trajectory.”

Ball State President Geoffrey S. Mearns said he looks forward to his continued collaboration with Trustees Conley, Harcourt and McDaniel.

“As Ball State enters its second century in 2018, the members of the board have been instrumental in our success as an institution,” Mearns said. “By working together, Ball State is on the minds and in the hearts of every potential student, elected official and community leader. We are a source of pride for our alumni and our community.”

Conley, who was elected vice chair of Ball State's Board of Trustees in 2016, is chief executive officer of consulting firm ER Solutions, LLC. She retired as executive vice president of human resources and administration from Entergy Corp., where she also served as chief diversity officer. Conley earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting in 1980 and an MBA in 1982, both from Ball State.

Harcourt joined the Board of Trustees in 2016. She is the president and CEO of Harcourt Industries Inc., a Rush County school supply company founded in 1956 by Harcourt’s parents. Harcourt earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Ball State in 1975.

McDaniel, who joined the Board of Trustees in 2016, is the executive director of governmental affairs for the Krieg DeVault law firm in Indianapolis. McDaniel has a deep background in government relations and administration, having served as Indiana Republican state chairman from 1995 to 2002. McDaniel earned two Ball State degrees: his bachelor of science in 1973 and a master of public administration in 1979.

The university’s nine trustees are appointed by the governor and responsible for the fiduciary oversight of Ball State. Its primary duties are to approve the strategic direction of the university, confer degrees and oversee fiscal matters such as the university budget and tuition and fee policies.