University of Indianapolis taps Ball State administrator for presidency

Posted March 14, 2005

After an exhaustive national search, the University of Indianapolis has selected a seasoned Ball State University educator and administrator as its next chief executive.

Beverley J. Pitts, provost and vice president for academic affairs at Ball State, will become the university's eighth president, effective July 5. She succeeds Jerry Israel, who is retiring.

Pitts will be the first female president in the 103-year history of the comprehensive institution, which has 4,100 undergraduate and graduate students on its main campus and is affiliated with the United Methodist Church.

The selection of Pitts was based on her impressive leadership qualities, solid record of accomplishments, and outstanding communication skills, said Sue Anne Gilroy, chair of the Search Committee. In addition to 20 years as a communication professor and administrator at Ball State, Pitts skillfully shepherded that institution through an especially difficult period while serving as acting president in 2004.

"The goal of our Search Committee was to conduct an exhaustive national search that would be open and inclusive, resulting in the selection of a visionary and dynamic, experienced and entrepreneurial president who will guide the university to the next level of excellence, building upon the impressive accomplishments of Jerry Israel," Gilroy said. "We found that person right here in Indiana."

Pitts was among four finalists, culled from nearly 80 candidates, who were invited to campus for interviews with seven advisory committees representing students, faculty, staff, alumni and community leaders. "With every constituent group, she was the universal favorite," said Christel DeHaan, chair of the Board of Trustees.

"I thoroughly have enjoyed working these last seven years with Dr. Israel and watching the university prosper under his remarkable leadership," DeHaan said. "The university has made tremendous strides, and is well-positioned for even greater achievements ahead. The Board is convinced that Dr. Pitts is the one to carry the baton forward."

Pitts began her higher education career as an English instructor at Anderson University, where she received a bachelor's degree in English in 1968. She subsequently earned two degrees from Ball State: a master's in journalism and a doctorate in higher education.

While on the faculty at Anderson from 1977 to 1985, Pitts rose to assistant professor and became founding chair of the Department of Communication. She joined the Ball State faculty in 1985, where she moved through the ranks to become professor of journalism and assume increasing administrative responsibilities.

As provost and vice president for academic affairs, Pitts now has oversight of seven academic colleges and 900 faculty. She played a leadership role in developing the Freshman Connections program, which was identified as one of 13 Best Practice Programs in the Freshman Year by the national Policy Center on the First Year of College. Freshman retention at Ball State went from 67 percent in 1997 to 80 percent by 2003.

Pitts has been the designer or project director for five Lilly Endowment grants to Ball State totaling more than $36 million. Two of the projects have addressed student retention, and the most recent funded a new Center for Media Design.

"I tried to bring the small, liberal arts experience I had enjoyed so much in my years as student and educator at Anderson, to Ball State through the Freshman Experience and retention programs," Pitts said. "Those experiences transfer well to the University of Indianapolis, which provides an important liberal arts foundation, as well as the opportunity for personal relationships between faculty and students that lead to retention and academic success.

"The university has come so far in the last few years. It has wonderful programs and great potential to serve Indianapolis and Indiana. It's exciting to go to a university that's in such great shape and has so many possibilities ahead. I am hopeful my communications background will help in telling the university's story further, to bring it even greater visibility and prestige."

"It's reassuring to leave the university in such good hands," said Israel. "I'm delighted that someone of Dr. Pitts' experience and leadership ability has accepted the opportunity to become the next president. Her knowledge and visibility in Indiana will allow for a smooth transition and rapid development of her presidency."