An accounting graduate of the University of Wichita who served as president of Pi Alpha Pi during his student days, Ernest L. Balay '53 proved to be a lifelong supporter and contributor to his Alma Mater.
A CPA, Balay began his career at the Wichita firm of Bonnicamp, Koehling & Smith and later was executive in charge of finances for several companies, including Adair Oil Co., where he worked for many years.
His business and community involvements also included being part of the founding ownership group of the Wichita Aeros baseball team and serving on the board of directors that oversaw the building of the Sedgwick County Zoo.
At Wichita State, he served as a member of the WSU Endowment Association's board of governors and was the board president in 1971 when the alumni association awarded its first ever honorary alumni membership to Monty Hall for his service in organizing the Night of Stars benefit that raised funds for those most directly affected by the tragic WSU football plane crash of Oct. 2, 1970.
In addition to Balay's volunteer service to a number of organizations at WSU, the university was also the site of a rare happening, documented by this handwritten note from 1970: "Ernie Balay joined the elite circle of golfers who have made a hole-in-one. Ernie was playing the Wichita State course in June when he clubbed home a seven-iron into the hole on the par three sixth hole."
Ernie Balay died April 16, 2014, in Wichita.
