By Asia White

In 1975, a young historian arrived on Ball State’s campus with a passion for U.S. history and the ambition to teach. Fifty years later, Dr. E. Bruce Geelhoed stands as one of the university’s most dedicated and influential faculty members; an exemplar of commitment, leadership, and scholarly excellence.

From Graduate Student to Department Leader

Dr. Geelhoed’s journey to Ball State began in Michigan. After earning his undergraduate degree from Hope College in 1970, he served as a graduate assistant at Central Michigan University, where he discovered his passion for teaching at the university level. When it came time to pursue his doctorate, he reached out to a former Hope College professor, Dr. Warren Vander Hill, former director of the Honors Program at Ball State, who agreed to become his advisor. After successfully defending his dissertation, Dr. Geelhoed joined Ball State in 1975 and never looked back.

Muncie quickly became home. Not only did he find fulfillment in his teaching and administrative roles, but it was also the perfect place to raise a family with his wife, Deborah. Together, they raised two sons who graduated from local public schools and went on to earn graduate degrees from prestigious institutions like Indiana University, the University of Michigan, and Marquette University.

Throughout his five decades at Ball State, Dr. Geelhoed served in numerous leadership roles. He was associate director and acting director of the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (now Sponsored Projects Administration) from 1988 to 1991, and director of the Center for Middletown Studies from 1991 to 2003. But his most cherished role was serving as chair of the Department of History, first from 2004 to 2010 and again from 2022 to 2025. He is the longest-serving chair in the department’s history, and he takes pride in the administrative contributions he has made to strengthen Ball State’s future.

Chronicling Ball State’s Story

In 2001, Dr. Geelhoed co-authored Ball State University: An Interpretive History with longtime colleague and mentor Dr. Anthony Edmonds. This monumental work, which took nearly a decade to complete, became a foundational resource on the university’s institutional history. Commissioned in anticipation of President John E. Worthen’s retirement, the book required navigating volumes of archival material, maintaining scholarly objectivity, and highlighting the university’s essential milestones. Dr. Geelhoed credits the dedicated staff of Bracken Library’s Archives and Special Collections for their support.

Later, he collaborated with archivists Michael Szajewski and Brandon Piezko on Ball State University, a photographic history published to commemorate the university’s centennial in 2018. This accessible, image-rich book brought Ball State’s legacy to life for a new generation of readers.

Scholarship Rooted in Passion and Relevance

Dr. Geelhoed’s scholarly interests have consistently centered on 20th-century U.S. history, particularly the Eisenhower presidency and the history of business. He was drawn to Eisenhower early in life, beginning school in 1953, as Eisenhower took office, and learning about World War II from his veteran father. His doctoral dissertation focused on Charles E. Wilson, Eisenhower’s first Secretary of Defense and former General Motors president, leading to the 1979 publication of Charles E. Wilson and Controversy at the Pentagon, 1953–1957. This research bridged three essential fields: defense policy, foreign policy, and business history.

Understanding the relevance of business history to Ball State’s own origins with the Ball brothers, Dr. Geelhoed introduced and has continuously taught the course since 1977, alongside his American history classes. His teaching integrates current wisdom as he remains a dedicated reader of new works in both business and political history.

A Teacher with Enthusiasm, Preparation, and Heart

If you ask Dr. Geelhoed what defines great teaching, he points to three traits: competence, enthusiasm, and preparation. Inspired by an article he read as an undergraduate, he believes enthusiasm, love for students and the subject, surpasses even subject mastery. And preparation? Non-negotiable. He once read about a professor who prepared six hours for every one-hour class. In his view, that’s about right.

Over the years, Dr. Geelhoed taught countless courses that left lasting impressions, both for him and his students. He played a foundational role in launching the university’s Center for Information and Communication Sciences (CICS) in the mid-1980s, teaching graduate-level core courses, such as ICS 640. He also taught a survey course in recent American history at Villanova University in 1982, during a research leave in Philadelphia, which provided him with valuable insight into private university environments. In 1987, he taught at Westminster College in England through a faculty exchange program, gaining firsthand experience with the British tutorial system.

Looking Back—and Ahead

Reflecting on how the university has changed, Dr. Geelhoed is proud of Ball State’s transformation. In 1975, Bracken Library wasn’t even complete. Today, the campus boasts a range of new facilities, including Worthen Arena, the Ball and Bell buildings, and the Gora Wellness Center, which have attracted stronger students and faculty alike. He notes the growth of the Honors College, which now enrolls over 600 high-achieving first-year students, as a marker of the university’s academic rise. Once lagging behind peer institutions in Ohio and Michigan, Ball State is now recognized as a respected, student-focused Midwestern university.

His hope for the university’s next 50 years? Continued adaptation and student-centered growth. Ball State has weathered the Depression, post-war enrollment booms, curricular expansion, and a global pandemic. He trusts it will meet future challenges with the same resilience.

As for his own legacy, Dr. Geelhoed hopes to be remembered simply as an “everyday player” who showed up, gave his all, and contributed to the success of students and colleagues alike. Ever curious, he still has a few research ideas percolating and is eager to experiment with new classroom methodologies.

A Life in Full at Ball State

Fifty years is more than a career; it’s a lifetime of service, mentorship, leadership, and scholarly contribution. From shaping Ball State’s historical record to modeling excellence in the classroom, Dr. E. Bruce Geelhoed has left an unforgettable mark on the university and all who have crossed his path.

We thank him for every lecture, every committee, every greeting in the hallway, and celebrate the incredible legacy he continues to build.

For more information about the Department of History and other faculty, visit our website, blog, or contact our office.