Dan Molinaro graduated from Ball State University’s Miller College of Business in 1968. He recently retired after a lengthy career with United States Steel Corporation, where he eventually became the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at DistributionNOW, a $35 billion energy corporation. Here are Three Things To Know About Dan:
1. Dan originally came to Ball State wanting to be a high school geometry teacher: The oldest of five children, Dan was the first in his family, including his parents, to attend college. He was initially drawn to Ball State due to its reputation as an outstanding teachers college, and initially had hopes of majoring in mathematics and teaching geometry at the high school level. Dan eventually changed his major to business (accounting), however, and said the education he received at Ball State’s Miller College of Business not only allowed him to have the tools necessary to be prepared upon entering the business world, but it also set up two of his younger siblings to follow his path. “A brother and sister followed me to Ball State,” Molinaro said. “Had Ball State not provided the proper educational and college experience, I may not have graduated, and my siblings would not have attended.”
2. The Hall of Fame Conference Room in Ball State’s Whitinger Business Building is named in honor of Dan’s parents: One of the most visible rooms within the Whitinger Business Building carries the Molinaro name. In 2018, WB 145, which showcases Miller College of Business’ Hall of Fame awards through a glass wall, was renamed the Molinaro Hall of Fame Conference Room. Dan dedicated the room in memory of his parents, Salvatore T. and Patricia Molinaro, “for their love, dedication, and mentorship.” Dan and his wife, Barbara, remain loyal donors to the University, with more than 30 years of consecutive giving. “I certainly believe in the importance of supporting our students’ efforts to succeed,” Molinaro said. “It’s a valuable life lesson to give back and to pay it forward. Reinvesting can be more than financial, as the lessons learned by the alumni can also be imparted to current students. As the current students witness this, they’ll hopefully do the same.”
3. Dan’s advice for future students to help them have a fulfilling career and meaningful lives? “The sky is the limit. Dare to dream. Don’t sell yourself short. There is so much you can accomplish. Ball State professors care about their students, providing innovation and leading-edge techniques, resulting in successful careers and meaningful lives. And don’t give up if you don’t do as well as others — some “C+” students can have successful careers (me), and there are other well-known “C” students from Ball State (my classmate David Letterman).”