The Ball State Board of Trustees is switching trustees at a challenging time for the Board.
Gov. Joe Kernan appointed Greg Fehribach Monday to the Board because trustee Jeff Smulyan is stepping down.
The appointment comes days after student trustee Kyle Mitchell was removed from the Interfraternity Council and during the controversial presidential search.
University Senate member Joe Losco said that Fehribach will bring a fresh perspective to the Board that will be beneficial to the university and the presidential search.
"We're very enthusiastic and hopeful that he will help make this an open process," he said.
Fehribach said he is not familiar with the situations, but he said he is excited and ready to learn about his new position.
"It goes back to my genuine love and affection for the university," he said. "I don't know the issues before the Board at this time, but I do think it's important to listen."
Fehribach said he will bring a variety of views to the Board.
"Being a professional with a disability," Fehribach, who requires the use of a wheelchair, said, "I have had unique ways of handling problems throughout my 45 years. I will bring a new and interesting perspective to the Board."
Former trustee Smulyan said Fehribach will not have trouble joining the Board during this time.
"Greg is a very capable guy," he said. "He will get up to speed very quickly."
Smulyan said he decided to step down within the last month because of other commitments.
Smulyan served for eight years on the Board.
"I have a wonderful fondness for the university," he said. "I learned a lot about the challenges of higher education. There is no way to make everybody happy all the time."
Fehribach is a lawyer and a building consultant on accessibility design.
He checked the accessibility designs for Emens Auditorium and the new music building, he said.
"Ball State gave me my start with accessibility," he said. "Opportunities have come up over the past 20 years to participate in various student forums with different student groups."
He was a speaker for Ball State's 2002 UniverCity, and he frequently attends Ball State sporting events and performances at Emens Auditorium.
Fehribach lives with his wife, Mary Beth, and his sons Daniel, 16, and Luke, 12, in Indianapolis.
Fehribach will begin his four-year term at his first Board of Trustees meeting today at 1:30 p.m. in the Administration Building.
"I'm looking forward to being helpful to the university," he said.
PULL-OUT INFORMATION:
During his undergraduate years at Ball State, Fehribach served as president of the Student Government Association from 1979 to 1980.
He graduated with a bachelor's degree in political science in 1981.
In 1983, he earned his master's degree in personnel administration from BSU.
He earned his law degree from Ohio Northern University in 1985.
The Disabled Student Development office named Fehribach the outstanding alumnus in 1988.
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