Present: Layne Cameron, Jim Grim, Brian Hayes, Bob Jonason, David Knott, Sarah Maisto, Pamela Records, Deborah Robinson, Charlotte Shepperd, Dan Waechter, Marilyn Weaver, and Diane Blankenship.  Via conference call:  Heather Perry, Gene Policinski, Michael Price, and Lesley Stedman.

The meeting was called to order by President Brian Hayes at 9:30 a.m. Referring to the minutes of the September 16, 2004 meeting, he asked for corrections or additions.  There being none, Jim Grim moved to accept the minutes as presented, and they were passed by voice vote.

Business

Outings—Heather Perry reported on the Journalism Alumni Pre-game Outing for Saturday, March 5, 2005 with Ball State vs. Western Michigan.  The lunch will be a buffet, beginning at 10:30 a.m. in the Alumni Center.  A free shuttle will be available to Worthen Arena for the game, which starts at 1:00 p.m.  Total cost for the event will be $20.  The cost can be adjusted for those who already have game tickets.  The board agreed to host and pledged commitment to attend.  Publicity will be via PUSH e-mail, Phoenix, and the Web and the reservation deadline is February 24.  Perry will coordinate give-away prizes.

Charlotte Shepperd reported that the Chicago outing, December 13, 2004, was well-attended, with several faculty members traveling to Chicago for the event.  Interest was expressed in participating in the Indianapolis Art Walk, if it is continued by the BSU College of Fine Arts Alumni Society.

Homecoming 2005 is planned for October 15.  Discussion about journalism alumni participation was tabled until another meeting.

Journalism Awards—Deb Robinson presented the Award Selection Committee's recommendations for this year's alumni awards, to be presented during the annual Journalism Awards Lunch Tuesday, April 5, on campus. For the Outstanding Young Alumnus award, the committee recommended two recipients, both 1998 bachelor's degree graduates: Thomas Gayda and Trish Taylor-Jones. Gayda is advisor to four award-winning student publications, six publications in all, and serves as a classroom teacher at North Central High School in Indianapolis. He currently is president of Indiana High School Press Association and also of Journalism Education Association, for which he is a candidate for a regional office.

Taylor-Jones is director for policy and association services for LRG, Inc. in Alexandria, Virginia. In her role, she is responsible for developing and implementing key legislative and media strategies for clients. She also takes an active role in coordinating grassroots advocacy campaigns to increase a program's visibility with local, state, and federal elected officials and the media. Her diverse professional experience has ranged from work as a newspaper writer to serving as political communications director and press secretary. Both Gayda and Taylor-Jones continue to be advocates of Ball State's journalism program. Robinson presented the names to the board for acceptance, Dan Waechter seconded, and the motion passed by voice vote.

The Outstanding Journalism Alumnus nominee is Amy Ahlersmeyer, who graduated in 1980 from Ball State. Her professional path has taken her from sports information director to press secretary for an Indiana mayor to press chief for the Olympic and Pan Am Games to principal of a major Indiana PR firm. Since 1999 she has worked with Hetrick Communications in Indianapolis, for whom she is now team leader and principal. A long-time member of Ball State's Journalism Alumni Association board of directors, Ahlersmeyer served on many committees and as an officer. Robinson presented Ahlersmeyer's name for the award in the form of a motion, Jim Grim seconded, and the motion passed by voice vote.

The Hall of Fame recommendation is 1975 graduate Michael Lopresti. Lopresti is a national sports columnist for Gannett News Service, a position he has had since 1982. During a long and distinguished career, he has covered 12 Olympic games, 23 World Series, 21 Super Bowls, 21 NBA Finals, 24 NCAA Final Fours, and 22

Masters golf tournaments. His work has appeared in more than 100 daily newspapers throughout the country and Canada, and his distinctions include being the first U.S. print journalist to interview suspected Olympic bomber Richard Jewell in Atlanta. Lopresti began his career with the Richmond Paladium-Item in 1975, and has always been devoted to the journalism profession. His work has earned him distinction among his peers and garnered him many awards. Robinson presented Lopresti's name for the Hall of Fame honor in the form of a motion, Sarah Maisto seconded, and the motion passed by voice vote.

Long-Range Planning—Shepperd briefly reviewed initiatives established in 2000, several of which have been accomplished, and reported that the committee will schedule a meeting to re-evaluate long-range plans of the Journalism Alumni Association.  The committee will present a report and make recommendations at the next board meeting.  Those on the committee are:  Stephanie Berry, Brian Hayes, Bob Jonason, Heather Perry, Charlotte Shepperd, Dan Waechter, and Marilyn Weaver.

A question was asked about what role the Journalism Alumni board of directors has in encouraging financial support from alumni. Shepperd stated that fund-raising is not a charge of the Journalism Alumni board. Our primary role is to "friend-raise" and, particularly, to engage alumni through encouraging their participation in university and specific journalism functions. Shepperd also noted that, as we look to the future, clearly a growing university goal is to increase alumni percentage of giving and we can be involved, not by hosting fund-raising events, but by cultivating our alumni through hosting activities on behalf of the Department of Journalism and Ball State, and keeping them in touch with the university through Phoenix, the Ball State Alumnus, and the Web sites. As department chair, Weaver sends a letter through University Development encouraging financial support to journalism programs. As volunteers, every member of all boards of directors are asked to make financial commitments to Ball State. Gifts may be made to the area of the donor's choice.  Shepperd noted that, for example, those journalism board members who did not make a gift in 2004 will be contacted soon and asked to make a contribution.

Department Update

Marilyn Weaver stated that, with the Lilly Grant funding coming to a close, the department is searching for ways to retain positions and programs that were funded through the grant. Some faculty slots, as well as graduate assistant positions have been added through the funding.

Layne Cameron asked for discussion from the board about the fact that Newslink Indiana will be discontinued at the end of June of this year. As part of the Lilly Grant funding, Newslink Indiana is one of the programs being lost in the post-grant era. Lesley Stedman suggested that, if the board is going to express concern or recommendations, it should be done completely with the department's guidance. Weaver suggested that, if the board gets involved, it should be through proper channels. Cameron suggested that the group should meet before the end of February and act accordingly, based upon the outcome of the meeting. A committee was appointed, to include: Cameron, Bob Jonason, David Knott, Dan Waechter, and Weaver.

Summarizing other activities within the department, Weaver noted that the J-IDEAS program is growing and the following week would incorporated the First Amendment Center in a project about what students know and what they're being taught about the First Amendment. The search for the new dean of the College of Communication, Information, and Media continues. Candidates are coming in for interviews over the next couple of weeks. It is hoped that a recommendation to the provost will be made soon. President Gora visited with the journalism faculty recently.

The three task forces continue to work. Their focuses are: Life after I-Comm; department culture; and enrollment management. Weaver said that one area of concern being addressed in the enrollment task force is that of department minors. A second is to review current structure and recommend a consistent entry point into the journalism program (mass communications, for example, can give an orientation to the entire department experience). Other curricular issues also are being reviewed. Waechter pointed out that with any curricular change, there is a phasing period that ranges from four to six years.

Waechter coordinated the business panel September 29 that was Webcast. The department is in the process of putting all Professional-in-Residence programs online. Weaver mentioned other P-in-R programs: Nancy Green was on campus the previous week; Dennis Ryerson, Amos Brown, the Pulliam Writing Award winner, Dean Wright, Stan Wischnowski, Will Sutton, and a sports panel are programs that are scheduled for the spring. The provost is financially supporting a series of three sports-oriented programs for later in the spring, which will also be listed as sponsored by the Journalism Alumni Association: one is on sports journalists who have moved into author roles; a second on sports journalism, broadcast and print; and a third on the changing landscape of sports and its impact on society.

Alumni Council

Sarah Maisto, new journalism representative to the Alumni Council, reported that the Council last met September 25, 2004 on campus. The Council has increased its at-large membership from 12-15 members to provide more diversity in representation. Julie Bradshaw, from Indianapolis, is the 2005 president. More than 200 events are conducted annually by the Alumni Association. Receptions for President Gora, the Indy Art Walk, the December Chicago-area reception, and the upcoming March 5 journalism alumni event were mentioned as examples. The Alumni Council will meet Saturday, January 29 on campus.

Shepperd commended the service that Jim Grim provided as he represented the Journalism Alumni Association during the previous two years.

Future Events and meetings:

• Saturday, March 5, 2005, Journalism Alumni Pre-Game Luncheon (BSU vs. Western Michigan), 10:30 a.m., Alumni Center/Worthen Arena
• Tuesday, April 5, 2005, Journalism Awards Luncheon, 11:30 a.m., Student Center Cardinal Hall, Journalism Alumni Board of Directors Meeting Following Luncheon, Student Center Founders Room (3rd Floor) 
• Saturday, June 11, 2005, Journalism Alumni Board of Directors Meeting, Time TBA, Alumni Center, in conjunction with Alumni College
• Saturday, October 15, 2005  Homecoming Day

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 11:45 a.m.