List of Ball State University alumni

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.

This is a list of notable alumni of Ball State University .

Arts, literature, and entertainment

• Christine Barger, actor; best known for iCarly, Superstore, American Pie: Beta House, Barry ^[1]
• Bridget Bobel, Miss Indiana USA 2006 ^[2]
• Ellen Bryan, Miss Ohio 2011 ^[3]
• Claire Buffie, Miss New York 2010 ^[4]
• Angelin Chang, Grammy-award-winning classical pianist ^[5]
• Brian Collins, reporter at KXXV-TV in Waco, Texas; best known for "Boom goes the dynamite" viral video ^[6]
• Frances Currey (1925–2012), artist ^[7]
• Jim Davis, cartoonist of Garfield ^[8]
• Philip F. Deaver, writer and poet who graduated from St. Joseph's College in 1968; O. Henry and Flannery O'Connor awards winner
• Andy Devine (1905–1977), actor, Stagecoach ^[9]
• Joyce DeWitt, actress in Three's Company ^[10]
• Ashley C. Ford, writer for BuzzFeed, ELLE and others
• Danny Gaither, Christian singer, best known for his work with the Bill Gaither Trio ^[11]
• Stedman Graham, publicist and author; long-time companion of Oprah Winfrey ^[12]
• Scott Halberstadt, actor in Nickelodeon's Drake & Josh ^[13]
• Doug Jones, actor in Hellboy , Pan's Labyrinth , Hocus Pocus , and "Mac Tonight" ^[14]
• David Letterman, retired host of the Late Show with David Letterman ; The Letterman Foundation for Courtesy and Grooming has been a repeated contributor to the university ^[15]
• Mike Lopresti, national sportswriter for Gannett News Service ^[16]
• Cheryl Anne Lorance, artist ^[17]
• David Loughery, screenwriter and film producer ^[18]
• Larry Monroe (1942–2014), radio personality ^[19]
• Anthony Montgomery, actor, Star Trek: Enterprise , General Hospital ^[20]
• Sister Edith Pfau (1915–2001), painter, sculptor, and art educator ^[21]
• Sam Smith, journalist for the Chicago Tribune ^[22]
• Israel Solomon, artist ^[23]
• Kim Sun-a (김선아), South Korean actress in She's on Duty and My Name is Kim Sam Soon ^[24]
• Tiara Thomas, R&B singer, featured on Wale's 2013 song "Bad", which peaked at #31 on the Billboard Hot 100
• Kevin James Thornton, comedian; best known for Comedy Special “Be Yourself” ^[25]
• Nelly Vuksic, Argentine conductor and musician ^[26]
• Bill Wallace, dominant kickboxer of the 1970s; starred in A Force of One and The Protector ^[27]
• Cynda Williams, actress in Mo' Better Blues and One False Move ^[28]
• Ryan Woodle, actor; best known for Law & Order: SVU , Blue Bloods ^[29]

Business

• Angela Ahrendts, former senior vice president of retail, Apple; ^[30] former CEO of Burberry ^[31]
• Brian Gallagher, president and CEO of United Way Worldwide ^[32]
• Craig Hartman, honorary doctorate, architect and partner at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill ^[33]
• Peter Jubeck, founder of Sir Pizza of Michigan and Clara's restaurants^{[ citation needed ]}
• Kent C. Nelson, retired president and CEO of UPS ^[34]
• John Schnatter, founder and former chairman of Papa John's Pizza restaurants ^[34]

Politics and government

• Amanda Carpenter, national reporter for TownHall.com and Senior Communications Advisor and Speechwriter for Senator Ted Cruz ^[35]
• Jeffrey D. Feltman, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs and former United States Ambassador to Lebanon ^[36]
• Suzette Kimball, 16th Director of the United States Geological Survey, a bureau of the United States Department of the Interior ^[37]
• Brent McMillan, national Political Director for the Green Party ^[38]
• Rodney C. Moen, Wisconsin State Senator
• Richard Mourdock, Indiana Treasurer of State ^[39]
• Frank J. Mrvan, U.S. Representative from Indiana (2021– ) ^[40]
• John Rarick (1924–2009), U.S. Representative from Louisiana (1967–1975) ^[41]

Sports

National Football League

• Blaine Bishop, former NFL player, Tennessee Titans ^[42]
• Robert Brewster, NFL player (offensive tackle), Dallas Cowboys ^[43]
• Rush Brown, NFL player (defensive lineman), St. Louis Cardinals
• Corey Croom, NFL player (running back), New England Patriots
• Jerome Davis, former NFL player, Detroit Lions ^[44]
• Reggie Hodges, NFL player (punter), Tennessee Titans ^[45]
• Ed Konopasek, former NFL player (offensive tackle), Green Bay Packers ^[46]
• Brad Maynard, NFL player (punter), Chicago Bears ^[47]
• Keith McKenzie, former NFL player (defensive end), Green Bay Packers ^[48]
• Bernie Parmalee, former NFL player, Miami Dolphins; current running backs coach for the NFL Las Vegas Raiders ^[49]
• Danny Pinter, NFL player (center), Indianapolis Colts ^[50]
• Dante Ridgeway, NFL player (wide receiver), New York Jets ^[51]
• Terry Schmidt, former NFL player, New Orleans Saints, Chicago Bears ^[52]
• Willie Snead, wide receiver, Baltimore Ravens ^[53]
• Shafer Suggs, former NFL player, New York Jets ^[54]

National Basketball Association

• Theron Smith, NBA basketball player (small forward), Charlotte Bobcats ^[55]
• Bonzi Wells, NBA basketball player (shooting guard/small forward), New Orleans Hornets ^[56]

Major League Baseball

• Larry Bigbie, MLB baseball player (outfielder), St. Louis Cardinals ^[57]
• Bryan Bullington, MLB baseball player (pitcher), Pittsburgh Pirates, Cleveland Indians, and Toronto Blue Jays ^[58]
• Alex Call, MLB baseball player (outfielder), Washington Nationals
• Jeremy Hazelbaker, MLB baseball player (outfielder), St. Louis Cardinals, Arizona Diamondbacks ^[59]
• Thomas Howard, 11-year MLB baseball player (outfielder), Cincinnati Reds, St. Louis Cardinals, San Diego Padres, Cleveland Indians, Houston Astros, Los Angeles Dodgers (1990–2000) ^[60]
• Zach Plesac, baseball player (pitcher), Cleveland Indians
• Merv Rettenmund, NFL draft pick (Dallas Cowboys), 13-year MLB baseball player (outfielder), Baltimore Orioles, Cincinnati Reds, San Diego Padres, California Angels (1968–1980) ^[61]
• Brad Snyder, baseball player (outfielder), Chicago Cubs ^[62]

Other athletes

• Jarrod Jones (born 1990), American-Hungarian basketball player in the Israeli Basketball Premier League
• Marcus Norris (born 1974), basketball player, 2003-04 Israeli Basketball Premier League Defensive Player of the Year
• John Paul, racing driver^{[ citation needed ]}
• Sunungura Rusununguko, Arena Football League player
• Apsara Sakbun, swimmer who represented Cambodia in the 2024 Summer Olympics ^[63]
• Jamill Smith, Ottawa Redblacks player
• Terrence Watson (born 1987), American-Israeli basketball player for Hapoel Eilat of the Israeli Premier League

Other

• Arnie Ball, former men's volleyball coach at Purdue-Fort Wayne ^[64]
• Bill Doba, football coach at Washington State University ^[65]
• David Haugh, sports columnist for Chicago Tribune
• Brady Hoke, former head football coach, University of Michigan, San Diego State University and Ball State University ^[66]
• Jon Hoke, assistant football coach with the Chicago Bears ^[67]
• Ray McCallum, basketball coach at University of Detroit Mercy, Ball State, and University of Houston ^[68]
• Mark Patrick, sports radio personality ^[69]
• Kelly Sheffield, volleyball coach at Wisconsin, also coached at Albany 2001–2007 and Dayton 2008–2012 ^[70]
• Dave Shondell, women's volleyball coach at Purdue ^[71]
• Don Shondell, ESPN and ABC collegiate volleyball commentator ^[72]
• Craig Skinner, women's volleyball coach at Kentucky
• Jason Whitlock, commentator for Fox Sports One, former sports columnist for The Kansas City Star, AOL Sports, and ESPN.com ^[73]

References

1. "Ventriloquist in Hollywood". Ventriloquist in Hollywood - Ball State Daily. Retrieved 2024-01-19.
2. "History". Miss Southern Heartland. Retrieved 2 August 2011.^{[ permanent dead link ]}
3. "Miss America".
4. Hernandez, Sharon (22 March 2011). "Miss New York to talk about GLBTQ support". Ball State Daily News. Retrieved 2 August 2011.
5. Mantione, Meryl. "Grammy Winner Angelin Chang named School of Music Outstanding Alumni for 2007". Ball State Alumni Newsletter. Retrieved 2 August 2011.
6. Wojciechowski, Gene (6 March 2007). "Despite 'worst' sportscast, Collins says he'd try again". ESPN Commentary. Retrieved 2 August 2011.
7. "Primitive artist, longtime gallery owner Grandma Fran dies at 87". Carroll County News. 2012-12-07. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
8. "The Man Behind the Cat". Ball State University. Retrieved 2 August 2011.
9. "Andy Devine Biography". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 4 August 2011.
10. "'Three's Company' star Joyce Dewitt returns to campus". Ball State Newscenter. 14 November 2008. Retrieved 4 August 2011.
11. "Local Nazarene Group Plans Special Youth Week Services". Ohio, Lima. Lima News. January 31, 1959. p. 4. Retrieved March 6, 2016– via Newspaperarchive.com.
12. "About Stedman Graham". Stedman Graham & Associates. Archived from the original on 10 August 2011. Retrieved 4 August 2011.
13. "Acting and Musical Theatre Guest Artists". Ball State University. Retrieved 4 August 2011.
14. "Hollywood actor Doug Jones to attend Muncie screening of 'My Name is Jerry'". Ball State Newscenter. 14 April 2009. Retrieved 4 August 2011.
15. "Ball State names new building after famous alumnus". Ball State Newscenter. 30 July 2007. Retrieved 4 August 2011.
16. "CHIRP: Know Your Opponent - Ball State vs. Indiana". Ball State Daily News. 23 March 2011. Retrieved 4 August 2011.
17. "At The Gallery: Cast Bronze Sculpture by Cheryl Anne Lorance". www.atthegallery.com. Retrieved 2018-03-13.
18. "Movies". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times . 2013. Archived from the original on 2013-10-20.
19. Blackstock, Peter (January 20, 2014). "Larry Monroe remembered for his love and knowledge of music". The Austin American-Statesman . Retrieved 2020-04-08.
20. "Ball State grad Anthony Montgomery finds a new 'Enterprise'". Ball State Daily News. 3 October 2001. Retrieved 4 August 2011.
21. Blust, Christina (2012-05-15). "A Sister Edith Pfau Evangelist". Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. Retrieved 2024-01-19.
22. "Journalism Hall of Fame". Ball State University. Retrieved 4 August 2011.
23. "Israel Solomon". IndyArtsGuide.org. Retrieved 2023-12-16.
24. "Kim Sun-a - Actor Filmography، photos، Video". elCinema.com. Retrieved 2024-01-19.
25. Steele, Ray (2023-06-07). "Kevin James Thornton: Growing up, coming out, and coming home to Indiana". WFYI Public Media. Retrieved 2024-01-19.
26. "César Vuksic – The Quintet of the Americas". quintetoftheamericas.org. Retrieved 2024-01-19.
27. "Bill "Superfoot" Wallace". USA Dojo. Retrieved 4 August 2011.
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29. "BSU".
30. "Apple Leadership - Angela Ahrendts". Apple. Retrieved 2017-11-02.
31. "Burberry CEO and Ball State alum Angela Ahrendts to speak March 16". Ball State Daily News. 4 March 2011. Retrieved 1 August 2011.
32. "Brian Gallagher, president and CEO of United Way Worldwide, named Ball State trustee". bsu.edu.
33. "Craig W. Hartman". Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, LLP. Archived from the original on 6 August 2011. Retrieved 1 August 2011.
34. "Hall of Fame". Ball State University. Miller College of Business. Retrieved 1 August 2011.
35. "Amanda Carpenter". TownHall.com. Retrieved 1 August 2011.
36. "Jeffrey D. Feltman". U.S. Department of State. Archived from the original on 17 April 2009. Retrieved 1 August 2011.
37. "Suzette Kimball". United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
38. "Brent McMillan". Green Party of the United States. Archived from the original on 19 June 2011. Retrieved 1 August 2011.
39. "About the Treasurer". Indiana.gov. Retrieved 1 August 2011.
40. Babcock, Abby (July 13, 2021). "Leadership Life Series: Congressman Frank J. Mrvan". NWI. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
41. "Rarick, John Richard". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved 1 August 2011.
42. "Blaine Bishop". Pro-Football Reference.com. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
43. "Robert Brewster". Pro-Football Reference.com. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
44. "Jerome Davis". profootballarchives.com. Archived from the original on May 20, 2015. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
45. "Reggie Hodges". Pro-Football Reference.com. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
46. "Ed Konopasek". Pro-Football Reference.com. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
47. "Brad Maynard". Pro-Football Reference.com. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
48. "Keith McKenzie". Pro-Football Reference.com. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
49. "Bernie Parmalee". Pro-Football Reference.com. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
50. "Danny Pinter". Indianapolis Colts. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
51. "Dante Ridgeway". Pro-Football Reference.com. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
52. "Terry Schmidt". Pro-Football Reference.com. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
53. "Willie Snead". Pro-Football Reference.com. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
54. "Shafer Suggs". Pro-Football Reference.com. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
55. "Theron Smith". Basketball Reference.com. Archived from the original on 10 October 2012. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
56. "Bonzi Wells Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more". Basketball-Reference.com.
57. "Larry Bigbie". Baseball Reference.com. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
58. "Bryan Bullington". Baseball Reference.com. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
59. "Jeremy Hazelbaker". Baseball Reference.com. Retrieved 7 July 2016.
60. "Thomas Howard (baseball player)". Baseball Reference.com. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
61. "Merv Rettenmund". Baseball Reference.com. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
62. "Brad Snyder". Baseball Reference.com. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
63. "Swimming Alumna Apsara Sakbun to Represent Cambodia in Paris Olympics". Ball State Sports.com. June 28, 2024.
64. "Arnie Ball - Men's Volleyball".
65. "Bill Doba". Washington State University Athletics. 18 April 2013. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
66. "Brady Hoke". Ball State University. Archived from the original on 11 November 2013. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
67. "Jon Hoke". Ball State University. Archived from the original on 11 November 2013. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
68. "Ray McCallum". University of Houston. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
69. "Mark Patrick". Indianapolis Indiana. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
70. "Coach Bio". uwbadgers.com. Archived from the original on 13 May 2014. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
71. "Dave Shondell". CBS Interactive. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
72. "Don Shondell". Ball State University. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
73. "Jason Whitlock". Ball State University. Retrieved 7 October 2013.