Hollis E. Hughes, Jr.
Hollis Hughes joined the Foundation Board in 2006
Hughes earned his bachelor's degree in education ('65), and master's degree in sociology and psychology ('72) from Ball State. He is a former social studies teacher, who also coached track, cross country, and swimming teams, and sponsored the Booster Club and the Black Students' Cultural Society at South Bend LaSalle High School. He was the director of the City of South Bend's Model Cities Program, responsible for planning, coordinating, and allocating the Department of Housing and Urban Development's resources to local government agencies, organizations, and citizen groups in the program. During his time as the Model Cities director, he was appointed director of the Bureau of Housing in South Bend as well. Hughes then went on to serve as director of the St. Joseph County Housing Allowance Office, the Housing Assistance Office, Inc., and executive director of the St. Joseph County Housing Authority.
In 1994, he became president and CEO of United Way of St. Joseph County, Inc., a position he currently holds today. He has served on the Board of Trustees at Ball State since 1989, becoming secretary of the board in 2006. He is a past president of the Ball State Alumni Council, and a member of the Black Alumni Council. Ball State has honored Hughes with the Benny Award and the Outstanding Black Alumni Award.
He has served on the boards of numerous other organizations, including Memorial Health Systems, 1st Source Bank, South Bend Community School Corp., and South Bend/Mishawaka Area Chamber of Commerce. He resides in South Bend with his wife, Lavera, a 1972 Ball State graduate.