Present: Abernathy, Brown, Budreau, Downey, Earley, Heeter, Ittenbach, Montagno, Richardson, Taylor, Walbridge, and Wilfong. Guests: Estep, Replogle

President Jim Ittenbach called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. and introduced our newest member, David Abernathy '80, vice president of the Ball State Credit Union.

Minutes

Minutes from the July 14, 2004 meeting were approved by voice vote following Earley's motion and Downey's second.

Alumni Council Report

Budreau reported on the Council's September 25, 2004 meeting, saying it was an exciting day. The Council voted to increase its size by three members to better reflect the diversity of its membership. Budreau noted that the BSU Foundation investments grew by 16% over the past year and Richardson said that the College only gets three percent of that. Budreau also suggested that the MCOB board explore some programs that are being done by other constituent groups, such as e-mentoring, networking/social events tied to campus events and geared to graduates from 1990 on. A brief discussion followed regarding the business alumni e-mentoring program of 2001 and how it could be revived and improved. Taylor explained that FCS is using funds from a Lilly Grant for theirs, which will include all students in an introductory level class.

Dean's Report

Richardson distributed a list of Events, College news and "Friend Raising" Fundraising items, and said that she had shared the same report with the MCOB Executive Advisory Board earlier in the day. Topics included:

• John Fisher, Ball Corporation chairman emeritus, kicked off a Lessons Learned in Leadership series recently. His remarks are at www.bsu.edu/business
• MCOB hosted 14 persons for Ball State Development's National Philanthropy Council
• MCOB Alumni Awards Dinner will honor eight alumni and one corporation, and inducted "Papa" John Schnatter into the MCOB Hall of Fame.
• October 6 & 7 Dialogue Days will bring about 70 alumni to speak in MCOB classes
• Don Kuratko will join IU Kelley School of Business as chair in entrepreneurship and director of the Johnson Center in January, 2005. A targeted search for someone energetic to build on Ball State's successful foundation will begin.
• MCOB enrollment is up, although it is down slightly in some other colleges.
• Entrepreneurship Dynamics Lab opened thanks to a $290 K grant from the federal government.
• The HH Gregg Center for Professional Selling is in newly renovated space, and $41 K equipment was being installed, which enable linking to web and live presentations.
• A network and security lab opened as a result of support from the BSU vice president for Information Technology. Information Systems and Operations Management curricula were updated for instruction this fall.
• Jeff Hornsby was named Distinguished Professor and also holds the title of George and Frances Ball Distinguished Professor in Management. He teaches human resources and entrepreneurship areas, and was presented Outstanding Faculty Award in August.
• John Ledbetter received an Excellence in Teaching Award and is developing his "dream course" in accounting to implement next year.
• Jim McClure and Jensen Zhao are newest MCOB full professors.
• A new Student Advisory Board consisting of 20 students representing all the majors except econ, IB and BE met September 30. (No one applied from those 3 majors)
• Project Orange was successful in getting commitments of $25.250 to eliminate orange chairs from five Whitinger Building classrooms. Major thanks to Scott Porter.
• Ball State Business will be published and mailed the week of Oct. 11.
• There is currently no MCOB director of Development, and Dean Richardson is fulfilling that role. She hopes to have someone in the slot part time soon. Richardson has visited alumni in Indianapolis, and has scheduled visits in Chicago, New York and Louisville in the next six weeks.
• The BSU Phonathon will be calling alumni on behalf of the MCOB the first two weeks in November.
• Richardson will be serving as a facilitator for the AACSB New Deans Seminar in late October, a Business Accreditation Seminar in early November, and the Aspiring Deans Workshop in December.
• Fundraising needs for 2004-05 include completion of Entrepreneurship Chair campaign, faculty scholars/professorships, student scholarships, and renovations to 15 more classrooms in the Whitinger Building.

Dialogue Days

Replogle distributed a list of more than 70 alumni and some advisory board members who have volunteered to talk to classes on October 6 and 7. Budreau, Heeter and Ittenbach are underwriting the cost of lunches again this year.

New Officers

Following a motion by Earley and second by Richardson, Heeter, as vice president, was confirmed unanimously as the Alumni Board president for Jan. 1, 2005 through Dec. 31, 2006. Three nominees for the vice president's office have been made, and Ittenbach called for an electronic ballot to enable all members of this board to participate. The ballot will be emailed the week of October 18, along with a brief biography of each candidate: Abernathy, Johnston and Walbridge.

Awards Dinner

Heeter reported that 30 tables have been reserved for tonight, equaling 250 attendees. He said that more than $12,000 was raised to pay for the event, and anything extra will be used for the professionalism certificate program expenses and next year's Awards Dinner. Richardson reported that she will present Carl George with his award at his business. Walter Kelly from Clifton Gunderson was accepting the award on behalf of George, because of his inability to attend the dinner.

The next board meeting was set for Thursday, February 17, 2005 at Forum Credit Union, Indianapolis. Directions will be emailed.

Upon adjournment, the reception for the Inaugural MCOB Alumni Awards began in the Alumni Center Conservatory.