Dr. Pruis, a retired U.S. Navy captain, received master's and doctoral degrees from Northwestern University. He was a college professor from 1951 to 1955, then returned to WMU as an administrator, serving in a number of capacities, including vice president.
In 1968, he was named president of Ball State University. He later served as vice president of the Ball Corporation. A recipient of four honorary degrees, he is a past president of the North Central Association of Colleges.