Ball State Keeps Papa John's Founder's Name On Business School Program

Associated Press

FILE - In this Oct. 18, 2017, file photo, Papa John's founder and CEO John Schnatter attends a meeting in Louisville, Ky. Papa John’s plans to pull Schnatter’s image from marketing materials after reports he used a racial slur. Schnatter apologized Wednesday, July 11, and said he would resign as chairman after Forbes reported that he used the slur during a media training session. Schnatter had stepped down as CEO last year after criticizing NFL protests.
*AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley, File*

The Indiana alma mater of the founder of Papa John's says it will keep his name on a school business program despite controversy over his use of a racial slur last month.

Ball State University's trustees chairman said Friday it accepted John Schnatter's apology and will continue its support of the John H. Schnatter Institute for Entrepreneurship and Free Enterprise.

Schnatter is a 1983 Ball State graduate. The center was created in 2016 after he and the Charles Koch Foundation gave Ball State $3.25 million.

Ball State trustees chairman Rick Hall says Schnatter's action wasn't derogatory, but was improper.

The University of Louisville is removing Schnatter's name from a similar program, and Purdue University officials said Friday they will remove Schnatter's name from an economic research center.

Schnatter resigned as chairman of the Louisville, Kentucky-based pizza chain after Forbes reported last month that he used the N-word during a media training conference call. He has apologized for using the word, but said it was taken out of context.

Tags:Ball State University entrepreneurship

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