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Tom Kinghorn's presence will remain at Ball State University long after he retires from his position.
A residence hall at Ball State, which will be completed by the fall of 2010, has been named Thomas J. Kinghorn Hall in his honor.
Kinghorn recently stepped down from his position as vice president for business affairs and treasurer, which he held since 1980.
However, he will continue to work at Ball State for the next three years as a part-time executive assistant to the president for commercialization and community engagement.
Kinghorn graduated from Ball State with a bachelor's degree in business administration in 1965 and later received his master's degree in 1966 in business administration management.
Before being appointed to the Board of Trustees in 1987, he worked in many administrative positions for the first 21 years of his employment with the university.
During more than 40 years at Ball State, Kinghorn helped initiate the construction of 17 new buildings and structures, including the Alumni Center, Ball Communication Building and the Robert Bell Building.
He also helped set in motion the renovation of 26 other buildings, including DeHority Complex, the L.A. Pittenger Student Center and Woodworth Commons.
"I go back in the buildings and see how enhanced the learning has become at Ball State," Kinghorn said. "Before, there were limitations, and now you can see the lives that have changed. Whether it is a classroom or residence hall, it is about the student experience."
Along with the initiatives, Kinghorn helped lead the way for efforts to provide tuition reductions for Ball State employees' families. He worked to provide health-care and insurance for retirees of the university.
When making the decision, Kevin Burke, director of university communications, said that the university wanted a name for the residence hall that reflected "Ball State character."
With his contribution to the university, members of the Board of Trustees wanted to pay a "lasting tribute" to Kinghorn by naming the newest building on campus in his honor, Tom DeWeese, board president, said in a press release on June 29.
"This is a humbling experience," Kinghorn said. "I've been at Ball State for 48 years, I came here as a freshman and it's a real surprise and I am deeply honored by the action that President Gora and the Board of Trustees took to make this possible."
Kinghorn said Ball State has also been an important part of his personal life.
"There have been so many favorite memories. I love Ball State," he said. "It's where I met my wife, received an education and where we built our careers. I have been very fortunate. The best thing is the people committed to making it a better place."
Naming buildings after faculty members has been a tradition at Ball State for many years. Some other buildings that have been named after faculty members include Worthen Arena, Pruis Hall and the Robert Bell Building.
Jill Sandberg, a business administration and management major, said she thinks that the naming of Kinghorn Hall is an honor.
"It's a good thing to name it after people who worked here, instead of people who just donate money," she said.
Kinghorn Hall is located on Neeley Avenue just north of the Studebaker Halls and will house about 600 students.
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