Earl L. Conn, a retired Ball State University journalism professor and founding dean of the College of Communication, Information, and Media, died Sunday at Ball Memorial Hospital. He was 82.
Marilyn Weaver, Ball State Department of Journalism chairwoman, said she will remember Conn's love for the university's journalism program and CCIM.
"He was one of the leaders in the movement to form the college, creating much of the documentation used to convince the university to organize the college," Weaver said. "I think that is one of the accomplishments he will be remembered for - designing the path we are on today."
Conn was the first CCIM dean from 1996 to 1998, when he retired. Before becoming dean, Conn was chairman of the Department of Journalism from 1984 to 1996 and a journalism professor. He left Ball State for a couple of years to serve as editor of Quaker Life magazine from 1960 to 1964 and was inducted into the Indiana Journalism Hall of Fame and the Ball State Journalism Hall of Fame in 1977.
Conn's daughter, Linda Shore of New Castle, Ind., said her father was extremely dedicated to his family and church, Friends Memorial Church, and had a deep passion for journalism.
"He remained active in journalism until the time of his death; his new travel book just came out," Shore said.
After he retired, Conn continued to write. His travel articles were published in newspapers, such as the Muncie Star Press, and he wrote several books, including one titled "Beneficence: Stories About the Ball Families of Muncie."
Weaver said she saw Conn as a role model and inspiration.
"He continued to be a journalist and author, showing he could use the tools he shared with hundreds of students over the years," Weaver said. "He never really retired, he just changed location for his work. I admired how productive he was in retirement."
Professor of journalism emeritus Mark Popovich, who was department chairman for five years before Conn, said he was saddened by Conn's death.
"He was a strong leader," Popovich said. "He made it possible, as [department] chair, for people to search out their own specialties as faculty members... In doing so, he helped to increase the profile of the Ball State journalism department among the nation's journalism schools."
Conn was responsible for bringing the department "into the age of technology," and his leadership will be missed, he said.
"He was a wonderful human being, a warm person, and it's just hard to find good people like that, people who are devoted to their jobs and staff," Popovich said.
Donna Penticuff said she and Conn worked together at the Midwest Writers Association, an organization Conn helped found to encourage writers and help them get published. She said the MWA will miss Conn greatly, but his influence will remain.
"He was a very special person to me personally, and he was a very special person to a lot of people." Penticuff said. "He really influenced a lot of students, a lot of professionals. Everything he did was not about Earl Conn, it was about helping other people. He was a gentle giant kind of person who still got things done, but was very quiet [about it]. He was a pretty spectacular person."
Juli Metzger, executive editor of digital custom content at The Indianapolis Star, was one of Conn's students at Ball State and later published his travel articles in the Marion Chronicle-Tribune, where she was editor at the time. She said Conn helped shape her as a journalist.
"He was just a good friend to so many of us who went through that department; he stayed in touch," Metzger said. "It's really sad that he's gone but have gave his heart and soul to Ball State University and the Muncie community, and I'm honored to have been able to call him friend."
Shore said services details for Conn will be confirmed Monday morning. Meeks Mortuary, located at Washington Street Chapel, is handling the arrangements, she said.
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