After 28 years of service, the Board of Trustees approved the naming of Hollis E. Hughes Jr. Assembly Hall in the Alumni Center on Friday in honor of the trustee who retired in December.
“Hollis has lived his life in service to others, and he and his wife, Lavera, who sadly passed away in December, provided examples for us all,” Board Chair Rick Hall said at the meeting. "It’s a privilege to be able to return a small token of our gratitude for his unwavering commitment to this university. It is an honor to call him colleague and friend.”
Hughes was also awarded a President’s Medal of Distinction by Interim President Terry King at the 2017 commencement ceremonies on May 6. The President’s Medal of Distinction is "presented to individuals who have made significant and unselfish contributions to the advancement of the university, the community, the state or the nation," according to bsu.edu.
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Hughes also spoke at the commencement.
"To the young graduates who are out in the audience… today you’re feeling a real sense of pride. You have earned something very special. Your folks believed in you, your professors believed in you and you did too. You earned it. Yes, you’ve earned it,” Hughes, a 1965 and 1972 graduate of Ball State said.
Hughes served as president of the board from 2011 – 2014 and as secretary from 2006 – 2011. He was “instrumental in helping to shape the growth and expansion of the university’s campus, especially during the Ball State Bold and Cardinal Commitment capital campaigns,” according to a university press release.
In December, Hughes was also named a Sagamore of the Wabash, the highest civilian award bestowed by then-Gov. Mike Pence.
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