Guess who is gone: top officials who left with Gora

Since President Jo Ann Gora's retirement during Summer 2014, a number of high-level Ball State University officials have also come and gone.

With the recent departure of two main spokespersons for the university from the initial three, here is a round-up of the changing faces in Ball State’s administrative structure under President Paul W. Ferguson.

All salaries are drawn from either 2014-2015 or 2013-2014 and are subject to change.



Tom Taylor, vice president for enrollment, marketing, and communications, a member of the President's cabinet and spokesperson for the university
When and why: President Ferguson accepted and announced Taylor's resignation on Jan. 2, according to an email the president sent to the university on that date. It is unknown why he left Ball State.
Salary: $236,810.00
Replacement: Taylor's replacement search is yet to be conducted. Julie Hopwood, the president's senior advisor, will act as interim vice president for Enrollment, Marketing, and Communications at the decision of President Ferguson.


Gene Burton, chief of police, director of public safety
When and why: Burton retired in August after spending 34 years at Ball State's University Police Department.
Salary: $99,773.04
Replacement: James Duckham, former associate director of public safety, assistant chief of police. Duckham took over Burton's position as interim police chief in August and became director of public safety in December. The replacements salary: $80,000.00.



Tony Proudfoot, associate vice president for marketing and communications and spokesperson for the university
When and why: Along with Taylor's resignation, Ferguson accepted Proudfoot's on Jan. 2. Proudfoot left the university to work at University of Arizona where he will fill similar role to the one had Ball State.
Salary: $156,563.00
Replacement: Proudfoot's replacement search is yet to be conducted. Hopwood will also fill Proudfoot's role. She has led leadership teams at the University of Maine, Ferguson said in the email. However, changes in the enrollment, marketing and communications may come at the recommendation of Hopwood, which could lead to restructuring of those departments in terms of staffing, budget and other items, Ferguson said in a Jan. 2 email.


Bill Scholl, athletic director
When and why: Scholl left Ball State in September to become vice president and athletic director for Marquette University.
Salary: $246,750.00
Replacement: Ball State conducted a closed search for Scholl's replacement and plans to announce his replacement Thursday morning. Brian Hardin, deputy athletic director since February 2013, is acting as interim athletic director.



Randy Howard, vice president of business and treasurer
When and why: Howard left the university in July to become senior vice president and chief financial officer at Embry-Riffle Aeronautical University.
Salary: $336,525.00
Replacement: The university is conducting a closed search and is expecting to find announce a replacement by the end of the spring semester. Finalists have been selected and recommended to the president. Bernie Hannon, associate vice president for business affairs and assistant treasurer, is filling Howard's role until a replacement is found. The replacements salary: $171,888.00.


Jo Ann Gora, president of Ball State University
When and why: President Gora retired from Ball State over the summer following 10 years at the university.
Salary: $431,244 2013-2014
Replacement: Paul W. Ferguson, former president of University of Maine. The replacements salary: $450,000.00