Even after catching a tough break, the Ball State University administration is able to look at the positive side.
Tom Morrison, associate vice president for human resources and state relations, is leaving Ball State after taking a position as associate vice president for public affairs and government relations at Indiana University.
Provost Terry King said his first reaction to Morrison leaving was disappointment because he has done well as the chief liason with the state legislature and governor's office and as the main contact with the Indiana Commission of Higher Education.
"He is very sharp about understanding how to work with issues in a political environment," he said.
However, as disappointed as King is about losing Morrison, he's able to find the positive aspects.
He said he was encouraged by other universities were looking to Ball State to find people to staff their administrations.
"It's bittersweet," he said. "I'm sorry to see him go but pleased that others recognize the quality of people at Ball State."
Morrison said IU contacted him about the job opening. He spent months considering dozens of factors with his family, and he decided taking the job would provide a great opportunity and a "broader challenge." After spending 17 years occupying multiple administrative positions at Ball State, Morrison said he was ready to move to the next phase of his career.
"This university is absolutley great, and the administration is very supportive of me seeking this opportunity," Morrison said.
He is responsible for government relations and human resources at Ball State, he said, but will focus solely on government relations for all of IU's campuses.
King said a lot of talent resided in the office of the vice president of business affairs, and he is positive someone will step up to fill the position.
Morrison said he was under a one-year contract with the university, but no issues have risen.
His first day at IU is Oct. 13, he said, and he plans on staying at Ball State until the Friday or Sunday before to help the assimilation process for his successor. The position hasn't been filled but, ideally, whoever takes over his responsibilities will be ready to perform the daily tasks required of the job, he said.
"I think enough of this place to make sure everything goes well," Morrison said. "IU has also been supportive of the transition in allowing me the time to make the transition."
Larry MacIntyre, assistant vice president for IU's university communications, said the interview process spanned a few months and involved multiple applicants.
"After a fairly lengthy search Tom was head and shoulders above all the other candidates," he said.
Morrison caught the eyes of IU administrators after gaining a reputation for working effectively with the state legislature and having a keen understanding of political issues in higher education, he said.
J.T. Forbes, Morrison's predecessor, left IU in early July to represent Cummins Inc. in the state legislature.
"We know it's a loss for Ball State and it's unfortunate," MacIntyre said, "and we don't like to steal someone from one of our sister schools, but Morrison was clearly the right choice."
MacIntyre said Morrison's initial task would be preparing for the legislative session concerning budgets in January.
Morrison said he loved working at Ball State but given the circumstances he had to leave.
"I just want to say Ball State is a special place," Morrison said. "It was a real difficult choice to leave. I will be cheering this place on. I definitely believe in BSU."
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