Jo Ann M. Gora
| Jo Ann M. Gora | |
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| President of Ball State University |
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In office 2004–2014 |
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| Preceded by | Blaine A. Brownell |
| Succeeded by | Paul W. Ferguson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | New York City |
| Spouse(s) | Roy Budd |
| Children | 2 (including one stepdaughter) |
| Residence | Bracken House |
Jo Ann Marie Gora (nicknamed "JoGo" by students) was the 14th President of Ball State University. Before coming to Ball State she was a chancellor of the University of Massachusetts Boston, and, prior to that, she was the Provost and Vice-President for Academic Affairs at Old Dominion University in Virginia.
In the 2011-2012 academic year, Gora was the fifth-highest paid public college president in the United States, with a total compensation of $984,647. In October 2013, Gora announced that she would be retiring on June 30, 2014, after 10 years of service.
Gora, a native New Yorker, is married to Roy Budd and has a son and a stepdaughter.
Gora earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Vassar College and master's and doctoral degrees in sociology from Rutgers University.
Gora served as chancellor in August 2001 and helped expand its honors college as well as dedicated herself to the growth of the campus and its students. During this time, the university raised admission standards, increased community outreach, and rewired the campus to include increased bandwidth. She stated in her inaugural speech that she was committed to the construction of residence halls as well as the external perspective of University of Massachusetts Boston. This helped lead the way for her presidency at Ball State University.
Gora served as provost and vice-president for academic affairs. In 1995, President James V. Koch of Old Dominion University, took a leave of absence for a semester, leaving Gora as the university's acting president. At that time in Virginia, Gora became the first female president of a doctoral institution in Virginia. In addition to being the first female president, she influenced the rise in university admission standards, expanded their honors college, and developed a state-wide distance learning program.
Gora served as the president of Ball State University for ten years, from 2004 to 2014. She was appointed by the Ball State University Board of Trustees in May 2004, beginning her presidency in August of that year. Upon her inauguration at Ball State, Gora forwent a traditional ceremony and used the money to establish a scholarship fund.
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