Gary L. Vance

1. Ball State’s opening of a College of Architecture and Planning was a “game changer” for Gary and his family: “As the youngest of six children, four of us attended and graduated from Ball State. Among all four of us we have four undergraduate degrees, two master degrees and two professional degrees. So, I was on campus from my earliest days and throughout my childhood with family for any number of reasons during the school year. It was a game changer when Governor Branigan decided in 1965 Indiana needed a school of architecture at a state-owned university and it was going to be located at Ball State. Since the first class graduated in 1971, the College of Architecture and Planning began making an impact within Indiana and the United States. Being aware of all of this piqued my interest in architecture, as did the interest of my older brother, who was considering studying architecture. When he enrolled in the third class of CAP, I then had immediate access and opportunity to learn about architecture and becoming an architect. So, all of this led me to applying and being accepted into the 1972 freshman class of CAP.”

2. Gary’s experience at Ball State has placed him “on an even playing field” with graduates from all other architectural schools across the country: “The College of Architecture and Planning is well known and respected throughout the country. The curriculum is based on teaching an equal blend between the conceptual and practical aspects of the design professions. This provides graduates with an excellent base of knowledge to be effective and contribute to architectural firms all across the country. As a result, I have been fortunate to have an outstanding professional experience throughout my career and have been in an ownership position in three of the firms where I have worked. My architectural specialty evolved into the planning and design of health and wellness facilities type of projects all over the country and internationally. I am honored to join the 24 CAP alumni who have been elected to the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects. This is one of the highest honors an architect can receive from the AIA.”

3. Gary’s advice for future students to help them have a fulfilling career and meaningful lives? “My best advice is to tap into the Ball State alumni network in the area where you live, in your areas of interest, or in your profession and career. The vast majority of successful Ball State alumni have had a mentor or mentors who have provided guidance and encouragement throughout their careers. It may appear to Cardinal students that the success of Ball State alumni has been an easy and smooth road throughout their career, but this is a misconception. Every successful alumni you see has had setbacks, obstacles, and failures that they have overcome throughout their career. By connecting with alumni, you can learn about these struggles and how they worked through them to become more successful than ever.”