Topic: Administrative
December 20, 2010
The Board of Trustees
of Ball State University
Joins the faculty, staff, and alumni of the university in honoring with our deepest appreciation
Thomas L. DeWeese
Whereas, Thomas L. DeWeese's nearly 34 years of service to the university include leadership on the Ball State University Alumni Council, the university's Board of Trustees, and the Ball State University Foundation Board of Directors; and
Whereas, Mr. DeWeese graduated from Ball State with a bachelor's degree in business in 1968 and earned his MBA a year later, received his juris doctor from Indiana University and admission to the Indiana Bar Association in 1975, and returned to Muncie in 1976 to join the law firm of Cross, Marshall, Schuck & DeWeese PC, where he is a partner; and
Whereas, on January 1, 1977, Mr. DeWeese joined the Alumni Council and is its longest serving alumnus, was president of the council in 1985, and served seven years on the Alumni Association's Executive Committee, receiving the Benny Award—the Alumni Association's top honor for service—in 1986; and
Whereas, Mr. DeWeese joined the Board of Trustees on January 1, 1987, and his nearly 24 years on the board include 15 years as its president; and
Whereas, he has been a close confidant and advisor to four university presidents, two of whom were selected by presidential search committees on which he served, and has taken very seriously a trustee's role in conferring degrees, as evidenced by his having participated in or presided over every university Commencement during this period—more than 70—along with representing Ball State at hundreds of community and university events; and
Whereas, Ball State established the College of Fine Arts and the College of Communication, Information, and Media as well as the Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Humanities during Mr. DeWeese's tenure; and
Whereas, the university has raised its admission standards, resulting in a student body that produces finalists for the Rhodes and Harry S. Truman scholarships as well as winners of the Student Fulbright, Morris K. Udall, Barry M. Goldwater, Rotary Ambassadorial, Critical Language, and Jack Kent Cooke scholarships, among others; and
Whereas, Mr. DeWeese has played a visionary and critical role in Ball State's dramatic physical transformation through the construction and renovation of more than 30 campus facilities, including Worthen Arena, the Alumni Center, Park and Kinghorn halls, Shafer Tower, the Marilyn K. Glick Center for Glass, the Student Recreation and Wellness Center, the Art and Journalism, Music Instruction, and the David Letterman Communication and Media buildings, and the creation of new campus gateways; and
Whereas, such leadership has included the renovation of Bracken House, Ball Honors House, Lucina Hall, L.A. Pittenger Student Center, Ball Gymnasium, the Fine Arts and Frank A. Bracken Administration buildings as well as the DeHority, Woodworth, and Studebaker complexes and Scheumann Stadium, including the addition of the Fisher Football Training Complex; and
Whereas, in 1995, Mr. DeWeese joined the Ball State University Foundation Board of Directors and has served on the National Philanthropy Council and on national committees for the Wings for the Future, Alumni Center, Above and Beyond, Football Stadium Renovation and Expansion, and Ball State Bold capital campaigns; in addition, he and his wife, Marilyn (MAE '69), have been generous donors to the university and members of the Fellows Society since 1983,
Now, therefore, be it resolved that Ball State University owes a great debt of gratitude to Mr. DeWeese that no single expression of appreciation can fully convey for his commitment, vision, and leadership in transforming Ball State into a world-class institution that has enriched the lives of faculty and students for more than a generation and will continue to do so for generations to come.
Be it further resolved that Mr. DeWeese be awarded the President's Medal of Distinction at Winter Commencement on December 18, 2010, in honor of the indelible mark he has left upon Ball State University.
Be it further resolved that the Alumni Center Conservatory be named the Thomas L. DeWeese Conservatory as a lasting tribute to his leadership, service, and invaluable contributions to Ball State University as a student, alumnus, trustee, donor, advocate, and friend.
Be it further resolved that this resolution be included in the minutes of the Board of Trustees meeting this seventeenth day of December in the year 2010.