Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 5 June 2008 — Page 6

Page 6 • The Muncie Times • June 5, 2008

Retired Ball State dean Dr. Waters dies at home in Bowie, Md.

By T. S. Kumbula BOWIE, Md. “It was a rather warm late December 2007 day. I was walking into a Food Giant supermarket here when our eyes locked. We stared at each other as if lost, for a moment, in time. I had run into Dr. Lawrence (Larry) Waters, former Ball State University dean of Enrollment and Admissions Services. In that position, he was responsible for the Office of Admissions, the Office of Scholarship and Financial Aid, the Registrar’s Office and the Office of Orientation. Dr. Waters was in the Food Giant checkout line. I had done a story for The Muncie Times in 1997, when he became the highest ranking African American administrator at the Muncie campus. He died May 15 ; e, at 70 of a brain aneurysm. I had not seen or talked to him si; e August 2006 when r 1 State placed him n leave for personal reasons, while his office was being restructured. He had not returned to duty when he retired April 2007. When he left the checkout line, with his groceries, we shook

hands. Almost simultaneously, we blurted out: “What are you doing here?” I knew that his wife lived in Maryland. Even while he lived and worked in Muncie, he frequently commuted to Maryland. He also knew that my family was in Maryland. He had been associated with Howard University and Morgan State University, two Historically Black Universities which my three children had attended. But little did we know that both our families lived in Bowie (bou-WIE), a southern Maryland city, in Prince George’s County, near Washington, D.C. As we chatted for about 30 minutes, in the supermarket, I told him he looked good. He said he was enjoying retirement, had recently returned from a Caribbean vacation and was keeping busy, picking and choosing what he wanted to do and when. We shared some stories about our children and grandchildren. He was happy to talk about that. He looked much younger than his 70 years. As we finally parted company, we agreed that next time I was back in town, we would get together for lunch or dinner. I .told him this time we would

really make it, because I would be spending the summer in Bowie. We tentatively agreed to do it in June Getting together for lunch with Dr. Waters had become a running joke. During his 9 years in Muncie, we had made and broken many lunch dates, for one reason or another. Every time we saw each other, we would agree to meet over a meal. One of his frequent comments was, “You do eat, don’t you?” He usually had something funny to say, each time we saw each other or talked on the funny. He was always positive. His funeral was May 21. His Ball State memorial service was the same day. I missed both because I was flying back to Indiana the same morning, my plans for a June lunch or dinner with Dr. Waters gone forever. But I do remember my last words from him last December: “Tendayi, tell our friends in Muncie that I am fine. Larry is fine. I have no bitterness. I enjoyed my years at Ball State. Now, I have new challenges to face and enjoy. “Now, I can spend more time with my wife, my children and my grandchildren. Tell them in Muncie that

Larry Waters is fine. “T1 see you, my friend, when you call me for lunch or dinner. I am always available. My name’s in the book.” So it was a surprise when I got an e-mail message from Dr. Roger Wessel, Ball State associate professor in the department of educational studies, announcing Dr. Waters’ death. He helped organize the campus memorial service at the Beneficence, to mark Dr. Waters’ 10 years at Ball State. The service attracted about 60 people. According to the Ball State Daily News, those speaking described the late dean as a gregarious man, inherently humorous, honest and ethical. Wessel said during Waters' tenure it was common for orientation to begin at Beneficence. "He would tell the story of Benny and explain how Ball State had so much to offer," he said. "It was one of his favorite places and things to do." Wessel said Waters was friendly and outgoing. "He absolutely loved working at Ball State University and representing Ball State to the public," he said. "Some people would

almost say his enthusiasm was infectious." There were comments from many others who had worked with or known Dr. Waters during his time at Ball State. Among them was Doug McConkey, a former Ball State vice president for Student Affairs. He hired Dr. Waters in 1997. According to published reports, McConkey said: "We had a lot in common in terms of overall objectives, but he had a freshness about him coming from different places and experiences, and he was a great addition. "He shared our values in terms of putting a lot of emphasis on supporting students and helping them be successful. He was very interested in high quality service and making sure students were able to get done what they needed to get done. He was a very good addition to our team and brought a lot to it that we wouldn't have otherwise had." According to Wessel, "On a personal basis, Larry should probably be remembered for his deep concern for other people and his care for other folks. "He was one of these people anyone would be proud to know and care about."