Present: Abernathy, Budreau, Imler, Ittenbach, Jacoby, Julian, Klee, Montagno, Richardson, Taylor. Guests: T. Estep, D. Heeter and A. Lumpkin

Past President Jim Ittenbach called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m.  

Minutes

Minutes from the Friday, October 1, 2004 meeting were unanimously approved by voice vote following Richardson's motion and Budreau's second.

Alumni Council Report

Budreau reported on the Council's January 29 meeting, noting that 37 members and eight staff members attended.   Highlights included the reappointment of Hollis Hughes to the Board of Trustees, President Jo Ann Gora's Inauguration Scholarships, and a report that the BSU Foundation had a 19.2% growth on its investments for 2004. The Foundation has three new directors added to the board: Brian Gallagher of United Way of America; Betsy Ross, president of Game Day Communications; and John Seffrin of the American Cancer Society.  All are Ball State alumni. Budreau reported that the full minutes of the Alumni council may be viewed at www.bsu.edu/alumni

Dean's Report

• Richardson reviewed the recent Papa John's event, and reported that "a relationship has been established with John Schnatter." 1800 (primarily students) attended John's presentation in Emens, where free T-shirts and pizza were offered.
• A brunch to recognize scholarship recipients and donors was held on February 12, 2005. Three students shared what their scholarship has meant to them, and two donors related the reasons they had established their scholarships.   The event will be moved to December in 2005 to include more donors before they move to Florida for the winter.
• Deb Heeter and Angi Lumpkin were introduced as directors of Development for MCOB. They are job sharing.
• The search for a chair of the Entrepreneurship program continues. Tim Stearns from California State University at Fresno will visit Feb. 23-25 to interview. Ittenbach commented on what a great experience the "spine sweating program" provided for his son and how marketable Adam is. Many businesses know the reputation of Ball State's program and seek BSU entrepreneurship alumni because of their thorough knowledge of business.
• A grant proposal to the National Science Foundation for $2.1 million was submitted by faculty in the Information Systems and Operations Management Department. If funded, it will be the largest ever received in MCOB.
• The college is integrating its undergraduate core curriculum, beginning with the "Principals of" classes, and is using a common case study entitled Big Sky Brewing Company for students to be exposed to all aspects of business, not just one, such as accounting or marketing.
• The college added one new faculty member, Doug Johnson, in the Strategy area, and extended an offer for an economics position.
• 39 students are in the Entrepreneurship "New Venture Creation" class this semester. The program is growing and anticipates 60 students next year.

Vice Presidential Election Results

Ittenbach announced that Kevin Walbridge had won the election to serve a two-year term.

Board Openings

The Board has two openings for completion of terms of one year, and two openings for full three-year terms. Suggestions were given from the dean, and those persons will be contacted by Ittenbach, Richardson and Taylor to determine their interest. Information about each nominee will be sent to the board for an electronic vote prior to the next meeting.

Letter-Writing Campaign

Estep reported for Replogle that 27 alumni volunteers have received their first lists of prospects to contact, and 10 more will be getting their names from the next round soon. The numbers are consistent with those from 2004.

Advanced Professionalism Certificate

Estep submitted a report indicating the current enrollment for the Advanced Professionalism Certificate.  The latest figures revealed that interest in the current program continues to increase with the addition of 81 new enrollees and a total enrolment of over 220.  The program will continue to rely upon the MCOB board members to assist by serving as guest speakers and program sponsors.

Alumni Awards Committee

The MCOB Alumni Award of Achievement criteria were reviewed for accuracy. It was suggested and unanimously approved that it be amended to read as follows: The nominee must be an alumnus of the Miller College of Business and should be in a position of responsibility, demonstrating success in his or her career, and demonstrating support of the Miller College of Business and Ball State University.

Richardson said that she is hoping to hold the second annual Alumni Awards Dinner on Friday, Sept. 9, 2005 at the Alumni Center. Approval of the site is on hold until its use for a home football game is determined. We are looking for a chair for the next annual Alumni Awards program, so any interested board member should contact Richardson or Heeter.

Estep asked the board to begin finding table sponsorships earlier this year. The goal is to have one major sponsorship and several smaller ones. Imler volunteered to be added to the next awards committee.

Palomba Lecture Series

When Dean Palomba was retiring, a group of former MCOB Alumni Board presidents formed a committee to sponsor an event and to raise designated funds for the Palomba Lecture Series. Expenditure of those funds requires approval of this board, the executive director of the Ball State University Alumni Association and the vice president of University Advancement. The funds are to potentially pay for a guest lecturer's honorarium, expenses or event expenses of the Lecture Series, named for Neil Palomba. This lecture would be open to the community as well as alumni and students. The fund now contains $43,538 and some unpaid pledges as well.

A committee was formed to investigate conducting the first lecture: Ittenbach, Budreau, and Montagno.

Dialogue Days

October 11 -12, 2005 are set for the next Dialogue Days. (Tuesday and Wednesday of Homecoming Week)

Upcoming board meetings: 

• May 10, 2005   - 3:30 p.m. at the Alumni Center
• August 9, 2005 – 3:30 p.m. Location TBA
• November 8, 2005 – 3:30 p.m. Location TBA
• February 14, 2006 – 3:30 p.m. Location TBA

Board members are invited to host a meeting. Contact Sue Taylor to make arrangements please.