Topic: Administrative
March 6, 2014
A resolution authored by Senate Democratic Leader Tim Lanane (D-Anderson) honoring Ball State University President Jo Ann Gora was approved by the Senate. Gora, who is approaching her decade mark as president, announced she will retire this June.
On Thursday, March 6, a resolution authored by Indiana Senate Democratic Leader Tim Lanane (D-Anderson) honoring Ball State President Jo Ann Gora was approved by the Senate. Gora, who is approaching her decade mark as president, announced that she will be retiring this June.
Gora made history when she was hired to lead Ball State, becoming the first female president of a public university in Indiana. Since 2004, she has overseen more than $500 million in campus renovations which include the David Letterman Communication and Media Building and the creation of the nation’s largest ground-source, closed loop Geothermal project that cut Ball State’s carbon foot-print in half. Sen. Lanane said Gora has made long-lasting impacts on Ball State.
“The quality of education that Ball State can now offer is light years ahead of where it once was thanks to the many contributions of President Jo Ann Gora,” Sen. Lanane said. “More than 50 academic programs at the university have earned national recognition during the course of her leadership.”
Gora, who joined Sen. Lanane on the Senate floor, offered her appreciation for the work the legislature has done to bolster Ball State University’s efforts to provide high quality education.
“This is a great honor and a flattering one at that. What is most encouraging is the support that Ball State enjoys from our legislators,” said Gora. “The General Assembly recognizes the efforts of so many at Ball State to provide a high quality, high value education to the citizens of Indiana. I'm deeply appreciative of this thoughtful recognition.”
Now considered one of the hallmarks of her administration, immersive learning at Ball State has impacted every corner of the state with more than 20,000 students completing 1,250 projects in Indiana. Gora made headlines during her inauguration when she instead chose to use the funds set aside for the ceremony to create 25 scholarships for incoming students.
“The scope of Jo Ann Gora’s contributions expand beyond Ball State to Indiana and to the field of education as a whole,” Sen. Lanane said. “The Senate is proud to honor her today.”
Gora has been named by the Indianapolis Business Journal as one of the most influential women in Indiana and named a Torchbearer by the Indiana Commission on Women, among other awards.
Sen. Lanane represents Indiana Senate District 25 includes the portions of Madison and Delaware counties, including the City of Muncie and the southeastern portion of the City of Anderson. For more information on Sen. Lanane, his legislative agenda or other State Senate business call 1-800-382-9467 or visit www.IN.gov/S25.