A Legacy of Innovation
Dr. John Worthen remembers the first time he heard about Jim Lowe.
Late in 1987, Dr. Worthen, then in his third year as Ball State University’s president, was having one of his many conversations with Tom Kinghorn, ’65 MA ’66, the University’s longtime vice president of business affairs, when the topic of the open facilities engineer position came up.
“He came to me and said we had this young man who I think will be really good for facilities,” Dr. Worthen recalled.
Not long after that conversation, Ball State hired Mr. Lowe.
“And he took off,” Dr. Worthen said with a chuckle.
Since that time, in an expanding number of roles, Mr. Lowe has had a major hand in nearly every functioning part of the beautiful Ball State campus. From facilities planning and building construction to engineering, operations, landscaping, transportation, custodial services, and more, Mr. Lowe’s influence has been evident in every corner of the University, ensuring that each aspect of campus life operates seamlessly and continues to thrive.
In June, Mr. Lowe retired as associate vice president for facilities planning and management. But before he could officially turn in his campus keys, University leadership wanted to show its appreciation for his 37 years of dedicated service. On June 14, the Ball State Board of Trustees passed a resolution to name the East Mall in honor of Mr. Lowe. Later that day, in a retirement ceremony at the Alumni Center, Ball State President Geoffrey S. Mearns and former President Dr. Jo Ann Gora bestowed upon Mr. Lowe the President’s Medal of Distinction—one of the University’s highest honors.
“It’s been an incredible journey,” Mr. Lowe said. “I’ve had the privilege to work with an amazing team and contribute to the growth and development of this beautiful campus. The friendships and memories I’ve made here will stay with me forever.”
Proud Native
Born and raised in Muncie, Mr. Lowe’s roots run deep in the community. He reflects on his early years with a sense of nostalgia, recalling how his family moved several times, which meant attending multiple elementary schools and a middle school that has since been demolished.
Despite the changes, Mr. Lowe’s educational journey led him to graduate from Muncie Central High School in 1973, and he set his sights on a career with NASA. However, financial constraints and advice from his grandfather led him to explore other options.
His grandfather, who worked at a local General Motors plant, introduced him to a co-op program with the General Motors Institute (now Kettering University) in Flint, Mich. That program allowed Mr. Lowe to gain practical experience while studying—a decision that shaped his future career.
After graduating in 1978, Mr. Lowe returned to Muncie to work at the city’s Chevrolet plant. He quickly rose through the ranks, working as a plant engineer and general superintendent of manufacturing engineering. Despite his success, Mr.
Lowe envisioned obtaining an architecture degree from Ball State. However, the reality of attending school for another five years led him to pursue a different path.
“I tell folks, I obtained my architectural knowledge via job training over the last 37 years,” he said with a laugh.
Joining Ball State
By 1987, as the local manufacturing scene declined, Mr. Lowe, after a brief stint at Muncie’s Westinghouse plant, jumped at the chance to join Ball State.
His first major task was to develop the University’s repair and rehabilitation program, laying the foundation for his long-term commitment to maintaining the campus.
“Tom was very adamant about taking care of our buildings,” Mr. Lowe said of Mr. Kinghorn.
Throughout his career at Ball State, Mr. Lowe has held nearly every director position within Facilities Planning and Management, from director of planning to director of engineering, construction, and operations. His approach to facilities management has always been proactive and strategic. One of his proudest achievements is the University’s low deferred maintenance budget.
“Ball State University has an extremely, extremely low deferred maintenance budget, meaning that we have very few needs because we’ve been very good at stewardship,” Mr. Lowe said.
Strategic Vision
When Dr. Gora arrived as the 14th president of Ball State in August 2004, she saw the campus had plenty of potential.
Already in the works at that time were the final plans for the McKinley-Riverside Avenues Safety Improvement Project, which would convert McKinley Avenue—Ball State’s main thoroughfare—from a three-lane road into a safer and more streetscape experience with landscaped medians and brick paving on crosswalks, sidewalks, and bus turn-outs.
In her previous jobs, Dr. Gora said she had learned to be pessimistic when presented with budgets and timelines for major projects. But as she quickly learned working with Mr. Lowe on the McKinley Avenue project, and with so many other projects during her 10-year run as president, “on-budget and on-time” wasn’t just a goal at Ball State—it was the expectation.
“It’s not just that he’s hardworking and dedicated; that’s the least of it, really,” Dr. Gora said. “What’s unique about Jim is his creativity and his vision; how he sees what the next steps should be and what the next projects should be to have the greatest impact on not just the campus, but the community.”
Mr. Lowe’s vision for Ball State is why, in 2018, President Mearns invited him to participate as a member of the strategic planning committee that developed the University’s current strategic plan, Destination 2040: Our Flight Path.
President Mearns said Mr. Lowe’s historic role supervising dozens of major building and renovation projects is what made him such a valuable addition to the committee. “There are few people who know Ball State as well as Jim does, especially given his role in helping to create our campus master plan. To envision a bright future for our University, I knew that his input would be vital to our work.”
Among Mr. Lowe’s final contributions to the evolution of Ball State’s campus has been his work in the strategic development of the Village revitalization plan. This initiative includes a new Performing Arts Center connected to a boutique hotel, set to be completed by Fall 2026, and a new Center for Innovation along with for-sale townhomes, condos, and apartments.
During Jim Lowe’s tenure at Ball State University, numerous major campus projects were completed, showcasing a significant investment in both new constructions and renovations. Here are just a few of those projects, completed from 1987-2024:
Newly Constructed Buildings
- Alumni Center
- Art and Journalism Building
- Ball Communication Building
- Brown Family Amphitheater
- Charles W. Brown Planetarium
- David Letterman Communication and Media Building
- Dr. Don Shondell Practice Center
- Earl Yestingsmeyer Golf Center
- Foundational Sciences Building
- Health and Physical Activity Building
- Health Professions Building
- Multicultural Center
- Music Instruction Building
- North Dining Hall
- Kinghorn, North, Northwest, and Park Residence Halls
- Scheumann Family Indoor Practice Facility
- Shafer Tower
- Worthen Arena
Renovated Facilities
- Applied Technology Building
- Ball Gym
- Burris Laboratory School
- Cooper Science Complex
- DeHority Complex
- Emens Auditorium
- First Merchants Ballpark Complex
- Jo Ann Gora Student Recreation Center
- Johnson East, Johnson West, Lucina, Studebaker East Residence Halls
- L.A. Pittenger Student Center
- Lucina Hall
- North Quad
- Scheumann Stadium
- Teachers College
- West Quad
- Woodworth Commons
Geothermal Project
Of all Mr. Lowe’s accomplishments at Ball State, perhaps his greatest feat is a project that is invisible to the average campus visitor.
The University’s geothermal energy system, initiated in 2009 after years of planning, stands as a testament to Mr. Lowe’s vision and commitment to sustainability. The system, the largest of its kind in the United States, replaced the University’s aging coal-fired boilers with a geothermal heating and cooling system, significantly reducing Ball State’s carbon footprint and operational costs.
“Jim was the key player with the geothermal project,” Mr. Kinghorn said. “He tackled the challenge head-on, ensuring the project exceeded our expectations.”
Jim Lowe conducts a tour of Ball State’s Geothermal Energy System in 2012. The system heats and cools 47 buildings on Ball State’s campus.
The project began as a response to the inefficiency of the existing coal-fired boilers. Ball State conducted a thorough analysis of potential solutions; the geothermal option, although the most expensive to install, promised significant long-term savings and environmental benefits.
“One of the biggest challenges was seeking funding from the state,” Mr. Lowe said. “We had to convince them that geothermal energy was the best option for Ball State’s future energy needs.”
The project secured nearly $83 million in funding from the State of Indiana and the U.S. Department of Energy. The geothermal system uses the constant temperatures beneath the earth’s surface to heat and cool buildings. Ball State’s system includes approximately 3,600 boreholes extending about 500 feet below ground, through which water circulates to transfer heat. This approach allows the University to save between $2.2 and $2.5 million annually, reduce its carbon emissions by more than 50 percent, and save approximately 45 million gallons of water each year.
Implemented in two phases, the system now heats and cools 47 buildings, encompassing more than 5.5 million square feet of space. The geothermal project has garnered international attention and inspired other universities to pursue similar sustainable energy solutions.
“The geothermal project was incredibly complex and risky,” Dr. Gora said. “Jim’s thorough research and confidence were crucial to its success. It wasn’t just about reducing costs; it was about setting a precedent for sustainability in higher education.”
Active Retirement
Now officially retired, Mr. Lowe’s connection to Ball State remains steadfast. After 37 years of shaping the campus and community, he’s ready to embrace new opportunities and continue contributing in meaningful ways.
“I’m not one to just sit around,” he said with a smile. “There’s still so much I want to contribute. I’ll always be a part of Ball State.”
Mr. Lowe plans to remain active in the Muncie community, his hometown of nearly 70 years. He will continue his involvement with various local organizations, including the YMCA, the Muncie Land Bank, the Muncie Downtown Development Partnership Board, and as an appointed member of the Muncie Community Schools Board of Trustees. His dedication to improving his hometown mirrors his commitment to Ball State, reflecting his belief in the importance of community service and engagement.
“It is my belief that all of us have a social responsibility to pay it forward in whatever means we can,” Mr. Lowe said. “For our community and for those who live and work hard here every day, and for future families to come, if we want our community to grow and prosper, we must give back.”
In addition to his community work, Mr. Lowe looks forward to spending more quality time with his family, which includes his wife, Joy, and their three children and four grandchildren.
Mr. Lowe’s legacy at Ball State is indelible. His visionary leadership and unwavering dedication have transformed the campus, leaving behind a sustainable, innovative, and thriving environment for future generations. From the geothermal energy system to numerous construction and renovation projects, his contributions have set a high standard for campus development and sustainability.
“Jim’s steadiness and commitment have made him an irreplaceable part of our University,” President Mearns said. “His presence has been a source of stability and inspiration for all of us.”
