Celebrating Emerging Writers - Methodist University

accomplishments was his investment in information technology which provided UPS
with instant global communications regarding shipment activities.
Currently serving as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of The Carter Center, Mr. Nelson
continues a long history of community service, which he began while he was employed by UPS.
He has served on the boards and executive committees of United Way of America, Ball State
University Foundation, Jim Casey Youth Opportunity Initiative and The National Museum of
Patriotism. He has chaired the boards of The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Foundation, the Annie E. Casey Foundation, United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta and UPS
Foundation.
A dedicated advocate for public education, Mr. Nelson served six years as Chair of the
Board of the Kentucky Partnership for School Reform. He chaired the Atlanta Chamber of
Commerce Education Committee, served as a member of the National Business Roundtable
Policy and Education Committee and was appointed to the Georgia Governor’s Education
Reform Commission.
A native of Kokomo, Indiana, he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business
Administration from Ball State University in 1959. He was elected by Ball State to The Business
Hall of Fame in 1990 and honored in 1991 with the Distinguished Alumni Award. Mr. Nelson
has received a number of honorary degrees, including an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from
Ball State University.
Mr. Nelson has served as a guest lecturer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology,
The University of Pennsylvania, Auburn University, Hillsdale College, The University of
Maryland, Kennesaw State University and Ball State University. He is a recipient of a number of
local and national awards for business leadership and community service.
He presently resides with his wife in Atlanta, Georgia.
Methodist University is an independent four-year institution of higher education with
over 2,400 students from 41 states and 53 countries. Methodist University offers over 70 majors
and concentrations, three master’s degree programs, and 19 NCAA III intercollegiate sports. For
additional information, please contact the Office of University Relations at (910) 630-7043 or
pmcevoy@methodist.edu.
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