By Ball State University Communications—
MUNCIE, IN — Ball State University’s Board of Trustees on Friday approved the naming of the University’s Multicultural Center the Vivian V. Conley and Hurley C. Goodall Jr. Multicultural Center, in honor of two local civil rights icons. Both individuals made significant contributions to the University and the broader Muncie community, leaving legacies of education, advocacy, and service that continue to inspire.
The Multicultural Center, which moved to a prominent new location in the heart of campus in 2021, serves as a hub for fostering inclusiveness and belonging at Ball State. The state-of-the-art facility provides resources and programming to support students from all backgrounds, celebrating cultural identities and creating a welcoming environment.
“Vivian Conley and Hurley Goodall embodied the values of education, community service, and advocacy that are central to Ball State’s mission,” said Rick Hall, chair of Ball State’s Board of Trustees. “Naming the Multicultural Center in their honor is a profound way to recognize their legacies and inspire our community to continue striving for inclusiveness and supporting the success of our students.”
“We are proud to honor the legacies of Vivian Conley and Hurley Goodall,” said Ball State President Geoffrey S. Mearns. “Their lives exemplify the transformative power of education and the enduring impact of service to other people. This dedication celebrates their contributions to our University and to Muncie, ensuring their stories continue to inspire people for generations to come.”
Hoosier artist, Bill Wolfe is pictured with Hurley C. Goodall and a miniature version Goodall’s lifesized statue. File photo.
Ms. Conley, an advocate for education and social justice, earned her bachelor’s degree in political science from Ball State in 1988 at the age of 66, followed by a master’s degree in gerontology. Her journey exemplified her belief that education is a gateway to opportunity and empowerment. While attending Ball State, she founded the Nontraditional Student Association, creating a vital support network for adult learners. In the 1950s, Ms. Conley played a key role in the desegregation of Muncie’s Tuhey Pool, reflecting her lifelong commitment to equity. Today, Ball State awards the Vivian V. Conley Scholarship to non-traditional students dedicated to bettering their communities.
Beyond campus, Ms. Conley served as the education coordinator at Trinity United Methodist Church, where she guided more than 150 students to college, many of whom attended Ball State. She also contributed to the Muncie community through various boards, including the Muncie Public Library Board and the Area 6 Council on Aging. Known as Muncie’s “Mother Theresa,” her advocacy spanned public housing, youth education, and access to opportunity. Ms. Conley passed away in 1993 at the age of 71.
Mr. Goodall, a trailblazer in civil rights and public service, received the Ball State President’s Medal of Distinction in 1992, and was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University in 2007. He served as a visiting fellow with Ball State’s Center for Middletown Studies, contributing to groundbreaking research on Black history in Muncie, including the Black Middletown project. His influence on campus endures through the Hurley Goodall Distinguished Faculty/Staff Award, which honors faculty and staff who support the Multicultural Center’s mission of developing students.
Beyond the University, Mr. Goodall was a pioneering figure in Muncie’s civic landscape. He was the first Black firefighter in Muncie, the first Black member of the Muncie Community School Board, and a seven-term Indiana state legislator. A founding member of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus, he championed the recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Indiana and tirelessly advocated for equity and justice. Mr. Goodall passed away in 2021 at the age of 93.
The Multicultural Center at Ball State has been a cornerstone of inclusiveness since its inception in 1968. Initially established as the Office of Special Programs under the Office of Student Affairs, it was created to develop and implement initiatives to support disadvantaged youth. George A. Davis was appointed as the first director, marking the beginning of the University’s intentional efforts toward fostering an inclusive environment.
In 1970, the Special Programs House was proposed to enhance the retention and support of minority students. Located at 325 N. McKinley Ave., the house opened in December of that year, providing a study skills center, counseling offices, and space for the Afro-American Student Union. It quickly became a vital resource and gathering place for minority students.
Over the years, the center evolved to meet the growing needs of Ball State’s diverse community, adopting new names such as the Office of Minority Student Development in 1983 and the Multicultural Center in 2000. Its relocation in 2021 to a new $4 million, 10,500-square-foot facility near Bracken Library reflects the University’s investment in creating a central, modern space to foster cross-cultural understanding and to support student success.
About Ball State
Founded in 1918 and located in Muncie, Ball State University is one of Indiana’s premier universities and an economic driver for the state. Ball State’s 20,000 students come from all over Indiana, the nation, and the world. The 790-acre campus is large enough to accommodate first-rate facilities and 19 NCAA Division I sports, but our welcoming and inclusive campus is small enough to ensure the friendliness, personal attention, and access that are the hallmarks of the University. Destination 2040: Our Flight Path establishes Ball State’s ambitious goals for our second century. We Fly!
