Members Present: Bernie Boldt, Rod Davis, Jacquie Downey, Ray Ferguson, Dave Heeter, Steve Imler, Jim Ittenbach, Michael Earley, Michelle Johnson, Ray Montagno, Sue Taylor; Todd Johnston and Tiffany Westfall by conference call. Guest: Tammy Estep

Call to Order: President Heeter called the meeting to order at 3:15 p.m.

Approval of the April 18, 2007 meeting minutes was unanimous follownig a motion by Imler, with a second by Downey.

Alumni Council Report
Taylor reported that the Alumni Council last met in April, and that the next meeting will be September 29, 2007. Alumni Council President Charles Green provided an overview of President Jo Ann Gora's Education Redefined Tours, and reported that council member Rick Hall was named to Ball State's Board of Trustees by Governor Mitch Daniels. Vice President of University Advancement Ben Hancock visited the meeting and reported that the university is currently in a feasibility/quiet phase for a capital campaign that will officially launch in 2008.  Mark Ervin, the BSUAA representative on the BSU Foundation, indicated that the Foundation's first quarter investment return was 15.1%. 

The Alumni Association named 50 Legacy Scholars, selected from more 160 applications, for 2007-2008. Recipients each received $2,000 in scholarships. The Alumni Association has begun a new initiative entitled the "Born to Be a Cardinal" program.  A $15 registration fee from Ball State alumni grandparents or parents initiates a $10 custodial account in the child's name at the Ball State Federal Credit Union, and a gift of a Ball State bib and photo frame.

Three building dedications, including Park Hall, The David Letterman Communications and Media Building, and Scheumann Stadium, kicked off the fall. Woodworth Dining was renovated and re-opened as well. The Alumni Council minutes are available at http://www.bsu.edu/alumni/article/0,1384,29263-4480-54887,00.html

Alumni Council Representative
The MCOB Alumni Board representative to the Alumni Council position is currently open. Taylor briefly outlined the responsibilities involved, saying that it is a voting position with a three-year term, starting in January 2008. Council meets three times a year on Saturdays. Heeter asked members to indicate if they were interested, and Ittenbach and Earley did so. Taylor had received word that Abernathy is also interested.  A vote will take place at the next MCOB Alumni Board meeting.

Miller College of Business Report
Interim dean Davis shared news that Jack Campbell's wife had suddenly passed away over the previous weekend. (Jack will receive an award on October 5). Davis reported that a luncheon was held to express appreciation to MCOB Faculty on September 18. He stated that the college is "on track, mature and moving forward:" The MCOB e-newsletter was sent this week and the undergraduate Entrepreneurship program was ranked eighth in the country by U. S. News & World Report. It is also ranked in the Top 25 byFortune-Small Business magazine. Business student Ben Poor walked to New Orleans over the summer to raise money for Hurricane Katrina relief and raised $11,000. 

Accounting alumni worked with the department to conduct a Boot Camp to acclimate and train juniors about the real world of accounting. Global business program students have arranged for alumnus Tony Smith to do an audio/video conference as part of the Advanced Professionalism Certificate program. The MCOB continues to incorporate immersion learning concepts in its programs. One new example is that Davis and another business professor are working with 15 students and client Vera Bradley in Fort Wayne to conduct marketing strategies for the opening of 10 new signature stores in cities around the country. A Discovery Grant provided funding for the project. Montagno is working with students for the White River Watershed Project in Delaware County. A BSU alumnus directs the project. His Management 300 class is writing a strategic plan for the director, and the work is being conducted as an "outside of class" project. He said that immersion ideas, overall, are challenging, but continue to provide great experiences for Ball State students.

Alumni Awards Dinner
The 2007 MCOB Alumni Awards will be presented on Friday, October 5, 2007 at the Alumni Center.  Currently MCOB has raised $21,000 in sponsorships to pay for the event, with proceeds going to the Advanced Professionalism Certificate program. Reservations are due no later than September 28. The program, script, and final details are in production according to Estep. She asked for board members to act as hosts for the multiple award winners as they arrive. 

Early, Heeter and Boldt volunteered to contact any companies who participated last year and have not signed up this year. Davis and Estep are working on inviting 28 advanced professionalism students to attend. Boldt obtained sponsorship for two tables for them.

Dialogue Days
Dialogue Days will take place Tuesday and Wednesday March 4-5, 2008. Estep is in the early process of inviting alumni to speak to classes. Ittenbach will send a letter to those who participated last year. Downey suggested that internal promotion for Dialogue Days could include banners in the halls, which she would provide. Estep will work with her.

Board Membership
Recently the board voted to expand membership by three new positions, with staggering three-year terms. One additional position is open with a year remaining on the term, and another position will open when a term ends. Five potential board members' bios and resumes were presented and discussed. A motion from Early, seconded by Ittenbach, was approved to invite all five candidates: Rebecca Baer, Carl Davis, Karen Mangia, Clarice McCauley, and Joseph Milazzo. Taylor will work with Heeter to stagger the terms and will send congratulatory letters.

Palomba Fund Usage
Montagno offered a proposal that outlined using the Palomba funds to pay for student and faculty travel and expenses when the MCOB sends academic teams to competitions around the country. Taylor stated that the proposal does not follow guidelines stipulated when the fund was set up and funds were being solicited. The board discussed approaching the initial contributors to see if this new proposal can somehow conform to the fund's expenditure guidelines. A few board members, who were among the contributors to the fund, will approach Ed Shipley, Executive Director of the Alumni Association, to discuss altering the stipulations.

Upcoming Events

• MCOB Alumni Awards Dinner, October 5
• Homecoming Awards Dinner, October 12 (BSU Distinguished Alumni, Benny and G.O.L.D. Awards)
• Homecoming Parade, Pre-Game Rally, Game and Post-Game Party, October 13
  

Planning for 2007-08
Ittenbach asked the board to obtain commitment from the current vice president in order to move forward with new officers, as the current term is a temporary extension. If the commitment is not there, he asks that a nomination process to vote in new officers take place prior to 2008. Ittenbach suggested the board entertain candidates for a four-year stint (two years VP, two years President), which is the tradition of this board. Heeter agreed to make the contact.

Early presented a "Dine with a Mind concept," which involves students asking professors out to lunch to establish a better professional relationship. He suggested that proceeds from the Awards dinner could pay for the program if it is incorporated into the Advanced Professionalism Certificate criteria. The board discussed the concept and will look into it further.

Next Meeting Date and Location
Tuesday, November 13, 2007 at 3 p.m. in the Alumni Center Board Room.