Terry S. King received his PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Chemical Engineering in 1979. His research focused on surface science and catalytic phenomena. From 1979 to 1982 he worked at Exxon Chemical Company researching and developing projects on production of various chemical intermediates. He began his professional academic career in 1982 at Iowa State University in the Department of Chemical Engineering.
By 1990, Dr. King was promoted to professor and assumed the responsibility of department chair which he held for 7 years. By the time his 15 years at Iowa State concluded, he had conducted research leading to over 150 peer reviewed publications and invited presentations. He also holds three patents and received grants primarily from the Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation. He supervised 7 master’s students, 12 doctoral students, 7 post-doctoral associates, and 2 visiting scientists. Dr. King’s award-winning research is centered on chemical and physical aspects of catalysis and nanotechnology.
Subsequent to his years as department chair at Iowa State, Dr. King served 9 years as the Dean of the College of Engineering at Kansas State University. Under his leadership the college engaged in several successful diversity and development initiatives.
After former Ball State president Paul Ferguson resigned, Dr. King took the role as interim in early 2016.
He is in his 10th year at Ball State University as Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs. In this role he has led the university’s strategic planning process and its academic long-range planning.