Ballard joins UIndy institute as visiting fellow

Former Mayor Greg Ballard has joined the University of Indianapolis as a visiting fellow of the Institute for Civic Leadership & Mayoral Archives, UIndy announced Wednesday morning.

The university said Ballard will be expected to convene conversations with local and national leaders on issues facing U.S. cities. He's also expected to promote the Mayoral Archives as a resource for officeholders, community leaders, researchers and students.

The Mayoral Archives, overseen by Professor of History Edward Frantz and maintained by UIndy’s Krannert Memorial Library, are a multimedia collection of more than a million documents, images, recordings and other artifacts from the administrations of former mayors Richard Lugar, William Hudnut, Stephen Goldsmith, Bart Peterson and Ballard.

"His work will focus on themes that marked his years in office to impact the quality of life in urban areas, including clean-energy solutions to public needs, new approaches to urban transportation and the value of global perspective and international collaboration," UIndy said in a written statement.

All four of Ballard’s immediate predecessors—Lugar, Hudnut, Goldsmith and Peterson—served on the university’s board of trustees and provided their official papers and other materials to the archives.

Ballard delivered his 2014 State of the City address from the UIndy campus and also donated his materials to the archives.

“Former Mayor Ballard’s role continues a University of Indianapolis tradition of working closely with city leaders,” said UIndy President Robert L. Manuel in written comments. “He’s been a vital partner in UIndy’s efforts to enhance the quality of life in our own neighborhood and throughout Indianapolis.

" I’m looking forward to seeing firsthand his contributions to UIndy’s intellectual life and student learning opportunities, and I believe our partnership can make a national impact.”
 
Ballard’s appointment begins immediately.

“I’ve enjoyed working with the University of Indianapolis on the many issues of concern we share,” he said. “This new relationship, drawing on the resources of the university, will provide a platform for national conversations on the future of urban life in our country.”