Ball State Alumni Association President Dies
Photo courtesy of the Ball State University Alumni Association
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe executive director, president and chief executive officer of the Ball State University Alumni Association has died. Ed Shipley spent 34 years working for the university, 31 of which were with the Alumni Association.
President Geoffrey Mearns said Shipley was “one of Ball State University’s greatest ambassadors.”
He was also well-known in athletics department, for running statistics and his loyalty to the team. The Star Press reports Shipley had attended every home football game, 217 home games since 1977. Shipley was inducted into the Ball State Athletic Hall of Fame in 2016 and the Alumni Center’s library was named in his honor.
“He was certainly one of the most beloved men of this university and community,” said Joe Hernandez, Ball State’s Associate Athletics Director for Sports and Alumni Relations, told the publication “He was Ball State through and through, no doubt about it. It’s what he did for a living, it was his vocation. He was an incredible man and an incredible family man who worked tirelessly to promote the university.”
Mearns sent the following statement to Ball State Faculty and Alumni:
It is with deep sadness that I inform you of the passing of one of Ball State University’s greatest ambassadors, Edwin Dale Shipley. Ed served our University for 34 years. When he retired in 2011, he was the CEO and president of the Ball State University Alumni Association. He was a dedicated alumnus, administrator, donor, and advocate.
One of the most visible demonstrations of his dedication is the Alumni Center. Ed was instrumental in initiating and sustaining the vision of the center. In 2018, we named its library in his honor.
As we mourn this loss to our Ball State community, we ask that you keep Ed’s family and friends in your thoughts and prayers.