Tracy Norris ’52

Communications executive Tracy Norris ’52 died May 12, 2015. He was 87.

Norris was born in Ainsworth, Iowa, and earned a B.A. in English from Cornell after serving in the U.S. Navy from 1945-1948. He earned a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Iowa.

He served as director of publicity for Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio, from 1956 until 1970. While in that position he won a Silver Anvil Award, the highest award given by the Public Relations Society of America. From 1970 until his retirement in 1988, Norris served as executive director of University Relations and Communications at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana.

In addition to his work with higher education, Norris was deeply involved in professional and civic organizations. He was a former president of the Indiana College Public Relations Association. He also served as archivist for District Five of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). He held a Lifetime Membership Award and a Special Merit Award from CASE, and served in various leadership roles for both CASE and the American College Public Relations Association. After retiring he volunteered at Ball Hospital, Cardinal Greenway, and United Way.

He is survived by his wife, Emilie, a son, and two grandchildren.