Ron Blatchley is a 1968 (BA) and 1969 (MA) graduate of SHSU. He served four years in the US Air Force, was the director of student affairs at Texas A&M University for 14 years, mayor of Bryan from 1983-85, and currently owns a residential construction company in Bryan that builds homes in Brazos and Grimes counties.

Ron and Ruth Blatchley were named Distinguished Alumni in 2006. In 2007, Ron Blatchley was appointed to the Texas State University System Board of Regents; he was named chairman of the board in April 2009. His term expires February 1, 2011.

In addition to being a significant donor to the Bell Tower, the Blatchleys also provided a clock in the Alumni Garden.