Ball State University found an internal replacement for the out-going vice president of business affairs.
President Jo Ann Gora named Randy Howard, associate vice president of finance and assistant treasurer, as the successor to 43-year Ball State employee Tom Kinghorn in Wednesday's President's Perspective.
Gora said Howard was a good choice because of his extensive range of experience, impressive educational background, ability to handle complex financial situations in a way people can understand and his knowledge of the university. She said these qualifications should help him transition smoothly and quickly into his new responsibilities.
Howard said he's excited to take a larger role at Ball State because he's impressed with the leadership and direction it has.
"I am very appreciative of the confidence President Gora has placed in me," he said, "and I look forward to this exciting opportunity and challenge."
Gora said Ball State searched internally because whoever took the position had to manage projects that the university has dealt with for a while. Other vice presidents and university leaders spoke highly of his analytical skills and his ability to collaborate and communicate.
"I'm really pleased we were able to promote from within for this position because of the challenging economic times we are in and the complexity of the job," Gora said.
" ... it doesn't always happen but when it can, it's very advantageous to the university."
Kinghorn said Howard was an excellent choice. Howard has done great work since Kinghorn hired him in 2006, he said, and he has good relationships across campus and he's a "person of integrity."
"He's had a full range of experience in almost every area involved in university finance," he said. "It will put him in an excellent position to serve the university very well."
He will start the transition process immediately, Howard said. He is aware of most of the issues he will deal with initially so taking over should go smoothly, he said. It won't be easy given the status of the economy, but he said he's excited about the opportunity.
"Tom Kinghorn has been an integral part of Ball State in my opinion," Howard said, "and I'm excited to follow in his footsteps."
Gora said filling Howard's current position will be his decision. They discussed possible reorganization within the Office of the Vice President of Business Affairs, she said, and however Howard decides to structure will be up to him.
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