Each year, a group of individuals are responsible for granting students their degrees, setting admission guidelines and managing all donations and grants — the Ball State Board of Trustees.
Appointed by the governor of Indiana, board members provide oversight and set the long term strategic goals for the university to ensure they meet the needs of students and faculty.
“We can help shape the next generation of students that will end up in our workforce and in our state,” said Matt Momper, chair of the audit and compliance committee and board member since 2008. “So you can actually see the fruits of your labor. It’s very, very rewarding.”
Rick Hall, chairman of the board, expressed a similar sentiment for serving the Ball State community.
“Really everything good in my life, I can trace back to Ball State,” said the alumnus, who met his wife and some of his lifelong friends during his time at the university. “So I’m very passionate about the university and feel very honored and privileged to be able to give back.”
Here are the Board of Trustees members for the academic year:
Jean Ann Harcourt – Milroy, Ind.
Harcourt is the president and CEO of Harcourt Industries Inc., a leading school supply company which was founded by her parents in 1956.
She was the first woman to chair the Indiana Manufacturers Association and was a founding member of the Rush County Community Foundation, as well as vice chair of the Indiana Republican Party from 2003-04.
Link to Ball State: Harcourt earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Ball State.
Thomas C. Bracken – Muncie, Ind.
Bracken has been a board member since 2012 and is the fourth generation of the Ball family to serve on the board.
He is also president of the George and Frances Ball Foundation and was previously a software engineer. In addition, Bracken owns the Wells Street Athletic Club in Chicago.
Link to Ball State: In addition to his family ties with the university, Bracken has served on the Board of Trustees since 2012.
Renae Conley – Chicago
Conley is the CEO of consulting firm ER Solutions, LLC. Previously, Conley was executive vice president of human resources and administration for Entergy Corporation and CEO of Entergy Louisiana and Entergy Gulf States Louisiana. Through these organizations, she helped restore Louisiana in the wake of hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav and Ike.
Link to Ball State: Conley earned an MBA from Ball State, and is in the Miller College of Business Hall of Fame.
Rick Hall – Carmel, Ind.
Hall has served on the management committee at Barnes and Thornburg LLP., one of the 100 largest law firms in the country, representing both public and private entities.
Hall previously served as a law clerk to judge Michael Kanne of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit and worked for U.S. Senator Richard G. Lugar.
Link to Ball State: While earning his bachelor’s degree at Ball State, Hall was captain of the basketball team during his senior year and received the prestigious Walter Byers Postgraduate Scholarship, granted by the NCAA. He has been a member of the board since 2007.
R. Wayne Estopinal – Jeffersonville, Ind.
Estopinal is the president of TEG Architects, an architecture firm based in Jeffersonville that serves national clients. His expertise and experience allows him to evaluate complex facility opportunities for the university.
Link to Ball State: Estopinal graduated from the College of Architecture and Planning and has been on the Board of Trustees since 2011.
Matt Momper – Fort Wayne, Ind.
Momper serves as chair of the audit and compliance committee and has held various positions within the university in addition to his role on the Board of Trustees.
He is also the board liaison to the Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association (WEBA) and Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB). He currently serves as president of Momper Insulation.
Link to Ball State: Momper earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Ball State. In 2007, Momper received the Distinguished Alumni Award. He has served on the Board of Trustees since 2008.
Mike McDaniel – Indianapolis
Having previously worked as the director of governmental affairs at Ball State, McDaniel is currently the executive director of governmental affairs for the Kreig DeVault law firm in Indianapolis.
He has an extensive background working in the government, including serving on the executive committee of the Republican National Committee and managing a number of political campaigns in Indiana.
Link to Ball State: McDaniel graduated from Ball State with a bachelor's and a master’s degree in public administration. He is also a recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award.
Marlene Jacocks – Fishers, Ind.
Jacocks is the student member on the board, representing the student body. She is also the philanthropy chair for Alpha Omicron Pi.
Link to Ball State: Jacocks is a junior English literature major, minoring in French, political science and philosophy.
Brian Gallagher – Chevy Chase, Md.
Gallagher is the president and CEO of United Way Worldwide, the world’s largest privately funded non-profit organization. It reaches 1,800 communities worldwide and focuses on improving the health, education, and financial security of these communities.
Gallagher previously served as a member on former President Barack Obama’s advisory council on faith-based and neighborhood partnerships and is the former chair of the Independent Sector.
Link to Ball State: Gallagher graduated from Ball State with a bachelor’s degree in social work.
Contact Lauren DeLorenzo with comments at ledelorenzo@bsu.edu.
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