Ball State president resigns at end of 2-month leave
MUNCIE, Ind. (AP) - The president of Ball State University has resigned effective at the end of a two-month leave, the school's Board of Trustees announced Monday.
No reason for the impending departure of Paul W. Ferguson was provided in a five-paragraph statement issued by the trustees.
"While the Board and Dr. Ferguson are disappointed that this relationship has ended, we wish Dr. Ferguson and his wife, Grace, well in their future endeavors," Board Chairman Rick Hall said in the statement.
Hall was meeting with various groups on campus Monday afternoon and was expected to discuss Ferguson's departure later in the day, board spokeswoman Myra Borschoff said.
The Fergusons were advertised to attend a "Meet the President" Ball State alumni event in Los Angeles on Sunday but did not appear. Organizers gave no explanation for their absence.
Ferguson became president of the 21,000-student university less than 18 months ago at age 61. He previously was president of the University of Maine.
Ferguson arrived on the Muncie campus just weeks after Hall announced the hiring of a former federal prosecutor to review the handling of fraudulent investments that cost Ball State $13.1 million. Ball State officials learned the school was the victim of fraud in 2011 but did not go public for two years at the request of law enforcement officials.
"It has been an honor and privilege for Grace and me to work with and to serve the faculty, staff, and especially our students, at Ball State University," Ferguson said in a release.
Ferguson was paid a base salary of $450,000 when he became president, The (Muncie) Star Press reported at the time.
Associate professor Amy Harden, president of University Senate, said she did not know why Ferguson was leaving.
"I am surprised by the seemingly abrupt nature and am immensely saddened by this news," she told The Star Press. "In the short time he has been at Ball State, he has had a tremendous positive impact through the various initiatives and the ... refocus on Ball State as the university for entrepreneurial learning and community engagement."
The surprise announcement prompted discussion among students.
"It was strange because we are the centennial class and it kind of saddened me because I've heard so many great things about him," sophomore Alyssa Smith told WTHR-TV.
Student Body President Jack Hesser said he was shocked by the news.
"I was definitely really sad to hear it," Hesser said, adding he loved working with Ferguson. "I think that he was an exceptional president."
The Board of Trustees has appointed Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Terry King as acting president. King served as interim president of the university in 2014 following the retirement of former President Jo Ann Gora.