John J. Pruis
Encyclopedia
John J. Pruis is best known as being a president of Ball State University
as well as having a building dedicated in his name on the campus. He went to Western Michigan University
for his education and later for a career. Pruis, originally from Holland, Michigan
came to Ball State on July 1, 1968, and retiring in 1978. After his tenure at Ball State, Pruis went on to become the vice president of corporate relations at Ball Corporation, the executive vice president of the George and Frances Ball
Foundation and director of the Ball Brothers Foundation.
and then began working at the university upon his graduation. He taught speech for 13 years, was a vice-president for two years, and a secretary to the university's Board of Trustees for four years.
John and Angeline Pruis hosted many university and community events on campus and in the Bracken House
as well as being involved in the Fellows Society, Quadrangle Society, Beneficence Society, Cardinal Varsity Club, Friends of the Museum of Art and Friends of Bracken Library.
Pruis is married to Angeline R. Pruis.
Ball State University
Ball State University is a state-run research university located in Muncie, Indiana. It is also known as Ball State or simply BSU.Located on the northwest side of the city, Ball State's campus spans and includes 106 buildings...
as well as having a building dedicated in his name on the campus. He went to Western Michigan University
Western Michigan University
Western Michigan University is a public university located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States. The university was established in 1903 by Dwight B. Waldo, and as of the Fall 2010 semester, its enrollment is 25,045....
for his education and later for a career. Pruis, originally from Holland, Michigan
Holland, Michigan
Holland is a city in the western region of the Lower Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is situated near the eastern shore of Lake Michigan on Lake Macatawa, which is fed by the Macatawa River ....
came to Ball State on July 1, 1968, and retiring in 1978. After his tenure at Ball State, Pruis went on to become the vice president of corporate relations at Ball Corporation, the executive vice president of the George and Frances Ball
Foundation and director of the Ball Brothers Foundation.
Western Michigan University
Pruis gained his education at Western Michigan UniversityWestern Michigan University
Western Michigan University is a public university located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States. The university was established in 1903 by Dwight B. Waldo, and as of the Fall 2010 semester, its enrollment is 25,045....
and then began working at the university upon his graduation. He taught speech for 13 years, was a vice-president for two years, and a secretary to the university's Board of Trustees for four years.
Presidency (1968 - 1978)
Pruis brought many different scholarship opportunities to Ball State such as the Whitinger Scholars Program, John R. Emens Scholars, Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarships, and Undergraduate research grants. He also established foreign language houses, as well as graduate assistant and doctoral fellow programs. The Ball State University Annual Fund grew from $170,758 to approximately $1.8 million during John J. Pruis' presidency.John and Angeline Pruis hosted many university and community events on campus and in the Bracken House
Bracken House
The Bracken House is the residence of the President of Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. The home is located just a few blocks west of the Ball State University campus in the historic neighborhood of Westwood. Many receptions, dinners, and other official university events are hosted at the...
as well as being involved in the Fellows Society, Quadrangle Society, Beneficence Society, Cardinal Varsity Club, Friends of the Museum of Art and Friends of Bracken Library.
Pruis is married to Angeline R. Pruis.
Effect on Ball State University
- John J and Angeline Pruis Award for Teaching
- Campus Additions during presidency
- Cooper Science Building
- Teachers College Building (1968)
- Lewellen Pool (1968)
- Johnson Complex (1969)
- Carmichael Hall (1969)
- Pruis Hall (1972)
- College of Architecture and Planning Building (1972)
- Bracken Library (1975)
- Two parking garages
- Science hall renamed to East Quad Building (Burkhardt Building)
Pruis Hall
John Pruis is one of the many presidents of Ball State to have a building on campus named after him. The building was built during his presidency in 1972 and held the name University Hall until after his term concluded. Pruis Hall is a unique building on campus. A large majority of the buildings on Ball State's Campus are made of red brick with exceptions of the Administration Building having yellow brick, and Elliott Hall and Pruis Hall being made of Indiana Limestone and cement. The architecture firm responsible for the design of Pruis hall was influenced by a grand piano with its strong curves and angular walls. Pruis Hall is located directly southeast of Bracken Library, and is used for large gatherings of people. The building is set up to be more like an auditorium, and this is its only function. The building can hold up to 700 people and hosts Friday Night Movies as well as guest lectures, comedians, and other special events.External Links
- John J. Pruis inauguration film, April 11, 1969.
- Images of John J. Pruis from the Ball State University Digital Media Repository