1996 Hall of Fame

Larry A. Conrad - Larry Conrad gained extensive recognition through varied community, statewide, and nationwide involvements. The Democratic nominee for Governor of Indiana in 1976, Larry was Indiana’s Secretary of State, 1970-1978. He was active with the Democratic Party as a delegate to the national convention and as a member of the executive committee for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in Washington, DC. He served as vice president of corporate affairs for Melvin Simon and Associates from 1983 - 1989. A Sagamore of the Wabash, he was listed in Who’s Who in America; was Indianapolis Press Club Man of the Year for 1983; and received a 1984 honor from Women in Communications. Memberships included the American Bar Association, Indiana State Bar Association, Indiana Society of Chicago, and the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce. He was a life member of the NAACP and honorary life member of UAW. He was very involved in community and state leadership roles, serving on such diverse boards as the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Indianapolis Humane Society, ICVA, and Historical Landmarks Foundation. Larry served as president of the board for the Museum of Indiana Heritage, and was chairman for Indiana’s annual crusade for the American Cancer Society. In 1982, Larry was chairman for the opening ceremonies of the National Sports Festival. Ball State recognized Larry with its Distinguished Alumni Award in 1984. Larry grew up in Muncie where he graduated from Central High School. He was initiated into Indiana Gamma on May 1, 1954. Following his graduation in 1957, he completed his law degree from IU in 1961. Larry is survived by his wife, Mary Lou, a BSU graduate, and 4 children.

Kent C. “Oz” Nelson - Oz Nelson is chairman and CEO of United Parcel Service (UPS), a position he has held since 1989. He previously served as executive vice president and vice chairman. A native of Kokomo, Indiana, Oz received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Ball State in 1959. He was initiated into Indiana Gamma in May, 1956. Oz began his UPS career in customer service 2 days after his graduation. In 1962, he was appointed Indiana district customer service manager. After several other district and regional assignments, Nelson was promoted to the company’s corporate office in 1973 where he assumed national customer service responsibilities. He was also a member of the start-up team that introduced UPS service in West Germany in 1976. He served as customer service group manager, finance manager, and chief financial officer, and in 1983 was elected a UPS director and senior vice president. In addition to his corporate responsibilities, Oz is chairman of the Board of Trustees of the UPS Foundation, the company’s main charitable arm, and of the Annie E. Casey Foundation, world’s largest foundation dedicated to helping disadvantaged children. He serves as a director of the United Way of America and is also director of the United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta. He was recognized received the Sigma Phi Epsilon Citation, the fraternity’s highest award for professional achievement at its Conclave in Orlando in 1995 and awarded Ball State’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 1991.

Don L. Park - Don Park returned to Ball State as Vice President for University Advancement in 1992. He joined Phi Delta Kappa, an international educational fraternity and foundation, in 1977, serving as assistant executive director. Prior to Phi Delta Kappa, Don was associate director of Alumni and Development Programs at Ball State, a position he held from 1970 - 1974. He was also professor of educational administration for the university from 1966 - 1974. He served in the Indiana State Senate from 1970 o 1974. He served 2 years as president of the Ball State University Alumni Association in 1989 and 1990 and received the Benny Award from the Alumni Association for outstanding service to BSU and the Association. In 1992 he was recognized by Ball State as a Distinguished Alumni. Don was initiated into Indiana Gamma in May, 1958 and completed his bachelors and masters degree in 1961 and 1962, respectively. He completed his doctorate degree at the University of Northern Colorado in 1966. During his years at Ball State he has been a member of the Alumni Board, serving as president in 1969 and 1970. In 1993, he proposed and organized the Martin Riverside Society to provide educational financial support to the chapter. Don and his wife, Claire, a 1963 graduate, have 2 daughters.

Thomas L. Shoppell - Tom Shoppell grew up in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and graduated from Northside High School in 1954. At Ball State he pledged Sigma Phi Epsilon in the Winter of 1955 and was initiated into the chapter on May 1, 1956. His 2 years on the chapter executive committee as chapter house manager left a legacy that exists today. Failure to do house duties, violation of house rules, or lack of respect for fraternity property were seldom a problem because of the respect for and fear of Tom. Upon graduating from Ball State, he returned to Fort Wayne to begin a career in education and private business. He completed a masters degree at St, Francis College in 1963. Twenty-three years have been spent in education with the last 13 as business manager of the Mt. Vernon School District. He spent 16 years in private business from 1968-1984. His community activities have included extensive involvement in organizations governing softball and baseball and the annual Carmel July 4th parade. Since graduation from Ball State, Tom has actively and vigorously organized and promoted SigEp alumni activities. Annual Fort Wayne Komet SigEp parties were a major success in the early 1960’s under his leadership. The creation of the Old Farts Society as an event for the “elder” members of Indiana Gamma have attracted over 100 participants every three years. His commitment to Sigma Phi Epsilon has been undaunted for 31 years.

Charles N. Slavin, DDS - A native of Iowa, Charles N. Slavin grew up in the small town of Moravia, where his father was a country medical doctor. He attended the University of Iowa where he completed the pledgeship of the Sigma Phi Epsilon chapter but never participated in initiation because of lack of funds. After completion of dental school at the university, Dr. Slavin started practice with an established dentist in Tipton, Iowa. In 1941 he was called into Army service. Upon completion of his military service in 1946, he and wife Marge moved to Muncie where he practiced dentistry until his retirement in 1984. Over 20 years after completing pledgeship at the University of Iowa, Dr. Slavin was initiated as a member of the Indiana Gamma chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon in May, 1956. Several months prior to that he became involved with Indiana Gamma as a charter member and president of the Indiana Gamma Housing Corporation. Through his leadership, the chapter purchased the Dobrow house on Riverside Avenue and moved from the small house on Martin street it had rented for a chapter house. Between 1956 and 1964, under the leadership of Dr. Slavin, the fraternity acquired properties adjoining the Dobrow house, initiated planning for a major addition to the chapter, developed a financial plan, and in 1965 completed a major addition to the house. The vision, leadership, commitment, and dedication provided by Charles Slavin during his 10 years as president of the housing corporation has directly impacted over 1400 men who have had the opportunity to the SigEp experience as an undergraduate at Ball State University.