Calendar Icon
May 02, 2016
RSS
Submit a Story
John Ballard, former professor of industrial management systems engineering and associate dean of the College of Engineering, died on April 29 from kidney cancer. He was 67.
After graduating with three degrees from the University of Arkansas, Ballard joined the college in 1974 in the Department of Industrial and Mechanical Systems Engineering; he served as associate dean from 1994-2007 and was responsible for faculty affairs, student affairs and academic programs.
Ballard was instrumental in fulfilling the university’s mandate that the College of Engineering and Technology become a College of Engineering and its technology programs become fully accredited four-year engineering programs. He enabled the undergraduate degree programs to transition the college to the outcomes-based ABET 2000 criteria, which was among the first in the country to successfully navigate this change.
In addition to his leadership contributions, Ballard devoted much of his tenure as associate dean to solving problems with practical solutions that embraced innovation and partnership. He returned to teaching in 2007, then retired in 2011 and became emeritus professor of industrial and management systems engineering.
In April, UNL awarded to Ballard the James O'Hanlon Academic Leader Award. The award recognizes a campus leader who has demonstrated exceptional abilities to lead, serve, inspire and collaborate on the academic goals of the university. It is named in honor of James O'Hanlon, who has effectively served UNL in multiple academic positions, including interim dean of the College of Engineering and interim director of The Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction.
“Dr. John L. Ballard was an exceptional academic leader and member of the University community,” Lance C. Pérez, associate vice chancellor for Academic Affairs, said in a UNL Today article published in early April.
Ballard is survived by his wife, Kay; and sons Jared of Naples, Florida and Drew of Fort Myers, Florida.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 3, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2110 Sheridan Blvd. Friends are welcome to stop by the family home from 5-9 p.m. on Monday, May 2. Memorials, in lieu of flowers, can be given to Arkansas Academy of Industrial Engineering (AAIE) Academic Scholarship #3000213 (www.onlinegiving.uark.edu) or the American Cancer Society. Condolences at roperandsons.com.
After graduating with three degrees from the University of Arkansas, Ballard joined the college in 1974 in the Department of Industrial and Mechanical Systems Engineering; he served as associate dean from 1994-2007 and was responsible for faculty affairs, student affairs and academic programs.
Ballard was instrumental in fulfilling the university’s mandate that the College of Engineering and Technology become a College of Engineering and its technology programs become fully accredited four-year engineering programs. He enabled the undergraduate degree programs to transition the college to the outcomes-based ABET 2000 criteria, which was among the first in the country to successfully navigate this change.
In addition to his leadership contributions, Ballard devoted much of his tenure as associate dean to solving problems with practical solutions that embraced innovation and partnership. He returned to teaching in 2007, then retired in 2011 and became emeritus professor of industrial and management systems engineering.
In April, UNL awarded to Ballard the James O'Hanlon Academic Leader Award. The award recognizes a campus leader who has demonstrated exceptional abilities to lead, serve, inspire and collaborate on the academic goals of the university. It is named in honor of James O'Hanlon, who has effectively served UNL in multiple academic positions, including interim dean of the College of Engineering and interim director of The Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction.
“Dr. John L. Ballard was an exceptional academic leader and member of the University community,” Lance C. Pérez, associate vice chancellor for Academic Affairs, said in a UNL Today article published in early April.
Ballard is survived by his wife, Kay; and sons Jared of Naples, Florida and Drew of Fort Myers, Florida.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 3, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2110 Sheridan Blvd. Friends are welcome to stop by the family home from 5-9 p.m. on Monday, May 2. Memorials, in lieu of flowers, can be given to Arkansas Academy of Industrial Engineering (AAIE) Academic Scholarship #3000213 (www.onlinegiving.uark.edu) or the American Cancer Society. Condolences at roperandsons.com.
Submit a Story