A native of
Kokomo, Indiana, Nelson received a
Bachelor of Arts degree in
business administration from
Ball State University in 1959. At Ball State, Oz became a brother of the
Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity Nelson was chairman of the
Annie E. Casey Foundation, the world's largest foundation dedicated to helping disadvantaged children. He served as a director of the
United Way of America and the United Way of Metropolitan
Atlanta. Nelson was active in several educational initiatives: the Partnership for
Kentucky Schools and the
Atlanta Chamber of Commerce Education Committee. Nelson was also appointed to the
Georgia Governors Education Reform Committee. Nelson served on the Board of Trustees of The Carter Center of
Emory University and the
Ball State University Foundation. He was also a member of the board of directors of
Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corporation and the CDC Foundation. Ball State University had honored him with two awards: the Distinguished Alumni Award in 1991 and the Business Hall of Fame Award in 1990. He received an honorary doctoral degree from Ball State University in 1994. He also received an honorary doctoral degree of management from Kettering University in June 1993. == Death ==