Ball State University conferred approximately 1,200 doctoral, specialist, master’s, baccalaureate, and associate degrees during its Fall 2025 Commencement ceremony on Saturday in Worthen Arena on the Ball State campus.
Ms. E. Renae Conley, ’80 MBA ’82, a longtime member of the Ball State University Board of Trustees, delivered the Commencement address, encouraging graduates to step outside their comfort zones and embrace change and challenges. Drawing on her career and commitment to service, she offered insights shaped by decades of leadership.
“Face your fears and don’t allow them to block you,” Trustee Conley advised. “Be patient, stay present in the moment, and manage your emotional reactions and attitudes. Remember to ask for help, and learn from the feedback you’re given. Most challenges are not personal, but people will remember how you carried yourself through them. Get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Comfort feels good, but discomfort builds greatness.
“Above all, be kind; it costs nothing and has the power to change how you see others and how they see you. Together, these lessons reflect the importance of knowing yourself, shaping your thoughts, and developing habits that help you become the best version of yourself.”
Ms. Conley has been a dedicated leader at the University since joining the Board of Trustees in 2014, serving two terms as vice chair and two terms as chair. A proud Miller College of Business alumna, she has continued to invest in the University’s success through her longstanding involvement and philanthropic support.
She currently serves as CEO of ER Solutions, LLC, an energy consulting firm, following a distinguished career in the energy industry that included senior executive roles at Entergy Corporation and Cincinnati Gas and Electric. Her decades of leadership—recognized through numerous professional honors, including being named a Key Woman in Energy in the Americas, as well as multiple awards from the Miller College of Business—reflect her commitment to excellence and public service.
Ms. Conley credited Ball State with giving her a solid foundation and reminded graduates that they, too, have a great head start as members of “an extraordinary group of alumni.”
President Geoffrey S. Mearns expressed gratitude to Ms. Conley for her continued service to the University and noted that she was awarded the President’s Medal of Distinction—one of the University’s highest honors—during a ceremony on Friday evening.
President Mearns closed his remarks by challenging graduates to reflect on the values that will guide them beyond Commencement, and to consider how their choices and character will shape their lives and the world around them.
“I encourage you to pursue a life of meaning,” President Mearns said. “Be sincere, and speak the truth. Model integrity and value integrity in others. Be grateful, and demonstrate your gratitude through your actions.
“Through your character and commitment, please help us create a world that is more peaceful and more just,” he continued. “We believe in that brighter future, because we believe in you.”