Topics: Administrative, President
November 15, 2007
Ball State
President Jo Ann M. Gora has been named one of the most influential women in Indiana, according to this week's issue of the Indianapolis Business Journal. Nineteen women were selected by the publication's editors from 120 nominations submitted by readers.
"The purpose of this recognition is twofold," Chris Katterjohn, Indianapolis Business Journal publisher, told attendees at the Nov. 9 awards breakfast. "Certainly, we want to recognize women who have risen to the top in their respective professions, their civic activities and their philanthropic work. But we also want to inspire young women with role models who wield successful influence through their hard work, determination, patience and optimism."
Gora was one of only two women in education to receive the honor. She was cited for Ball State's Education Redefined strategic plan, which guides the university's direction through 2012; for expanding Ball State's educational offerings; and for transforming the university's image and taking it to new levels of visibility.
Gora said she defines success as inspiring others. "Success is creating opportunities for people to be their most creative and innovative," she said. "When people are inspired and doing their best work, that's the best I can do as president."
Gora has been Ball State's president since August 2004. She is a member of the American Council on Education's Committee on Leadership and Institutional Effectiveness and has served on the board of the National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges. She serves on the executive committee of the Indianapolis Museum of Art and the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership, where she chairs the governance committee. She is a board member of several state organizations, including the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, First Merchants Corp. and Ball Memorial Hospital. She recently was named co-chair of the Indiana Chamber's Business-Higher Education Forum.