Members Present:  Dave Abernathy, Michael Earley, Ray Ferguson, David Heeter, Jim Ittenbach,  Leisa Julian, Jeff Klee, Ray Montagno, Lynne Richardson, Sue Taylor, Kevin Walbridge, Tiffany Westfall.

Guests:  Michelle Johnson, Tammy Estep

Heeter called the meeting to order at 3:40 p.m.

The Board unanimously approved minutes from the August 16, 2006 meeting.

Alumni Council Report

Taylor reported for Budreau on the Alumni Council meeting September 9, where Vice President of University Advancement, Ben Hancock, explained our drive to be a national model of advancement.  With the main portion of the McKinley Avenue project being completed and the new gateway on Bethel in place, Trustee Tom DeWeese had reported that an architectural firm was hired to plan the expansion of a recreational facility. Taylor also noted the very slight decline in enrollment this fall. Mention was made of the discounts offered by Alumni Card, and Taylor reported on recent Coach of the Year Awards. She was asked what the purpose of the Alumni Council is and explained that it is the governing board for the Ball State University Alumni Association, of which this Alumni Board is a part. Full minutes of the Council meeting are at http://www.bsu.edu/alumni/article/0,1384,29263-4480-46560,00.html

Dean's Report

Richardson reported on the many events which have recently taken place or are scheduled with the MCOB in the near future. Proceeds from the Alumni Awards Dinner are helping the college host a Distinguished Speakers Series this year. Speakers include Don Dumoulin '82, Sr. Vice president with Roche Diagnostics; Jim Marcicelli,    Steve Walker, Star Financial CEO; Niel Ellerbrook, Vectren president and CEO; and Cynthia Cooper, Worldcom "whistleblower" are scheduled to speak in the spring.  An ''ethics week" will be built around the Cooper speech.

The MBA program has new initiatives in place starting on the ground floor for those who have a desire to begin their own businesses. Saturday sessions will include creative training, building a business plan and identifying venture capital. This is a step more than normal initiatives due to the hands-on experience and the mentors that will be involved. 

The entrepreneurship program has identified 10 top entrepreneurs in the U.S. and asked three of them to come to Indianapolis on March 3, 2007 for a black tie event at the Conrad Hotel.  They will be presented with Entrepreneur of the Year Awards. On March 23 entrepreneurship students will pitch their business plans in Indianapolis and 12 will be selected to ride around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in a limo with 500 seconds to persuade judges to pick their plan. Four teams will compete as finalists. They are hoping to schedule David Letterman's car for use at the Speedway. 

In a joint venture with the Center for Media Design, the entrepreneurship program hosted a competition on high tech ideas. These new concepts were judged on business-like software and website technology.

The sales program had a competition event on October 20 and will participate again in Atlanta in March, 2007.

Earley mentioned how the entrepreneurship ranking (in U.S. World & News Report) is a huge success and that MCOB should be proud.

Richardson spoke of how four economics students competed against 11 other schools and presented ideas in Chicago at the Federal Reserve Bank Challenge. Northwestern University won this time, and our same group will be represented next year. The president of the Federal Reserve Bank came to campus and interacted with students.

The Center for School Innovation was established with Teachers College and CAP to help charter schools run as businesses. The institute is at Ball State.

MCOB is a finalist for a $20,000 Discovery Grant through University Development.

The 2006 Awards & Recognition Banquet will take place December 2 at 11:30 a.m. in the Alumni Center. Scholarship recipients and donors will attend.

Four study abroad trips are planned for 2006-2007. Montagno hosted a study abroad expo and found that getting faculty to participate is a challenge. One trip is set for spring break and one after commencement. 

A group of energetic freshman involved in Living/Learning Communities takes classes together and live in the same dorm. The group is planning a bus trip to New York City to visit the stock exchange, take in a play and see other sites. The students will only have to contribute $150 of their own money. The dean is asking for money to contribute to the students' trip. They need volunteers to chaperone, along with Montagno. Walbridge volunteered to assist in connecting with the stock exchange officials.

Richardson was asked by board members to identify her biggest challenge at the present time.  She said that it is hiring accounting faculty: Salaries are substantially higher right now than was anticipated, and there are four jobs out there for every graduate. 

Richardson recently hired two marketing PhDs and is looking to hire an economist as a replacement for Robert Shupp's position. 

Estep mentioned the Alumni Awards Dinner was a full house.  MCOB had more sponsorship this year than in the past with proceeds of $12,000. The money is used for the Professionalism Certificate and other programs. It was suggested to increasing the dinner prices for 2007, and to consider varied levels of sponsorships, or sponsorships with and without seating. Westfall will emcee the event. Richardson will compile the figures for what has been taken in and expended from the excess revenue before the next meeting.

Nomination/Election of Officers for 2007-08

Richardson suggested keeping Heeter as president and Walbridge as vice president for the 2007-08 year. Ittenbach asked for new nominations and to vote at the next meeting. After much discussion, Ferguson moved and Earley seconded to have Heeter continue serving as president with Walbridge remaining as vice president for one more term. The motion carried.

Board initiatives

Ittenbach suggested establishing committee chairpersons to help engage the board. This would help those new members coming in to know their roles and migrate through positions. Ittenbach asked what the board wants to accomplish to create meaningful engagement and create sustaining value to board membership. Richardson wants the board to help keep students engaged, including working with seniors, and networking and engaging women in business.  Walbridge suggested a shadowing day, friend raising events and networking events. Richardson mentioned the Connections Program in Elkhart, Evansville and Kokomo last summer.  Ittenbach and Walbridge reiterated that the board wants to be engaged and purposeful. 

Committees and chairpersons were established in five areas:  Westfall will chair the Alumni Awards Dinner, Ittenbach will chair Dialogue Days, Earley and Walbridge will chair Connections, Julian will chair a committee to investigate plans to use the Palomba Funds, and Heeter and Walbridge will head up the member recruitment area.  The Professionalism Certificate as its own committee was suggested. The dean said it needs to be revamped and reevaluated. Board members are asked to volunteer to serve on one of the committees.

Richardson asked that suggestions for the Alumni Awards nominations be emailed to her.

Next Meeting:

The MCOB Alumni Board of Directors meeting is scheduled for 4 p.m. on February 5,^, 2007 in the Conseco Fieldhouse. Walbridge will host the board for the Pacers game that follows.

Respectfully submitted,

Michelle Johnson and

Sue Taylor